title: Role of vaccinations and prophylaxis in rheumatic diseases.
abstract: Targeted strategies for reducing the increased risk of infection in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases include vaccinations as well as antibiotic prophylaxis in selected patients. However, there are still issues under debate: Is vaccination in patients with rheumatic diseases immunogenic? Is it safe? What is the impact of immunosuppressive drugs on vaccine immunogenicity and safety? Does vaccination cause disease flares? In which cases is prophylaxis against Pneumocystis jirovecii required? This review addresses these important questions to which clinicians and researchers still do not have definite answers. The first part includes immunization recommendations and reviews current data on vaccine efficacy and safety in patients with rheumatic diseases. The second part discusses prophylaxis for Pneumocystis pneumonia.
authors.affiliation: Pain and Palliative Care Unit, Aretaieion Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: papadopould@med.uoa.gr.
authors.forename: Despoina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Papadopoulou
authors.affiliation: Institute for Continuing Medical Education of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece. Electronic address: christsoulas@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tsoulas
authors.affiliation: Hematology and Oncology Unit, Second Department of Pediatrics, AHEPA Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece. Electronic address: atragian@auth.gr.
authors.forename: Athanassios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tragiannidis
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Unit, Pathophysiology Department, Laikon General Hospital and Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: nsipsas@med.uoa.gr.
authors.forename: Nikolaos V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Sipsas
mesh_terms: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014611:Vaccination; D014612:Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D014612:Vaccines
keywords: Autoimmune rheumatic diseases; Immunizations; Pneumocystis jirovecii; Pneumocystis pneumonia; Vaccinations