title: Opportunistic Infections in Biological Therapy, Risk and Prevention.
abstract: Patients being treated with biological therapies are at increased risk for serious infections, including opportunistic infections. Although more is known about opportunistic infection risk with older biologics, such as antitumor necrosis factor drugs, there is less knowledge of opportunistic infection risk with newer biological therapies. The incidence of certain opportunistic infections (tuberculosis, herpes zoster, pneumocystosis) has been rigorously evaluated in large observational studies. However, data are more limited for other infections (histoplasmosis, nontuberculous mycobacteria). Infectious morbidity and mortality may be preventable with screening and prophylaxis in select populations.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1900 University Boulevard, 229 THT, Birmingham, AL 35294-0006, USA.
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Bryant
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Birmingham VA Medical Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham and Medical Service, 1900 University Boulevard, 229 THT, Birmingham, AL 35294-0006, USA. Electronic address: jbaddley@uabmc.edu.
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Baddley
mesh_terms: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006660:Histoplasmosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host / Q000276:immunology*; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D001688:Biological Products
keywords: Biologics; Histoplasmosis; Opportunistic infection; Pneumocystosis; Tuberculosis; Zoster