title: Absence of varicella zoster virus reactivation after infliximab administration for plaque psoriasis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Herpes zoster (HZ) in patients receiving tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists may be more severe and the incidence seems increased. The influence of TNF antagonists on varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation is unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To prospectively search in a pilot study for VZV DNA in sequential blood samples before and after infliximab administration.
  
  
  METHODS
  University medical center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples of six patients with longstanding and severe plaque psoriasis were taken on day 1 (before infliximab administration) and on days 2, 7, 21 and 42 for the determination of VZV viremia by ORF21 real-time polymerase chain reaction. Patients with varicella, HZ and normal subjects were included as controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  None of the six patients presented VZV viremia at any of the time points. High-load viremia was present during varicella, low-load viremia in some HZ patients and no viremia in the control patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Small number of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this pilot study, infliximab did not reactivate VZV and did not induce subclinical VZV viremia.
authors: Department of Dermatology, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
authors: Lara
authors: L
authors: El Hayderi
authors: Sébastien
authors: S
authors: Bontems
authors: Cécile
authors: C
authors: Meex
authors: Arjen F
authors: AF
authors: Nikkels
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019562:Viral Load; D014766:Viremia / Q000503:physiopathology; D014775:Virus Activation / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D000069285:Infliximab