title: Varicella-zoster virus infection in rheumatoid arthritis patients in the anti-tumour necrosis factor era.
abstract: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are increasingly being treated with different drugs (both non-biologic and biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs - DMARDs) that may have immunomodulatory, cytotoxic, or immunosuppressive effects; in particular, anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agents are raising major concern as regards safety issues. An increased risk of infections has been extensively reported during anti-TNF treatment, owing to the primary role of TNF in host defense and immune responses. Although in clinical practice cases of reactivation of varicella zoster virus (VZV) infections during therapy with TNF inhibitors commonly occur, the knowledge on this topic deriving from randomised clinical trials is limited. In this narrative review we focus on the pathophysiology of VZV infection and the role of TNF, and report the available data about VZV outbreaks recorded on Registries of rheumatic patients treated with anti-TNF agents. Finally, we discuss screening strategies and promising preventive measures against VZV infection.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Unit, Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic Ninetto Melli Hospital, San Pietro Vernotico, Italy. f.cacciapaglia@unicampus.it.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cacciapaglia
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Unit, Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic, Antonio Perrino Hospital, Brindisi, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zuccaro
authors.affiliation: Department Interdisciplinary of Medicine, Rheumatology Unit, University of Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Iannone
mesh_terms: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha