Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) accounts for almost a quarter of the world population, and, in 5-10% of the subjects with impaired immune-response against M. tuberculosis growth, it may progress to active tuberculosis (TB). In this review, we focus on the need to propose a screening for LTBI including preventive therapy offer in rheumatic patients undergoing therapy with biological drugs. Areas covered: We report on evidence that biologics are associated with an increased risk of active TB reactivation. This effect seems to be mainly limited to treatment with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents, while non-anti-TNF-targeted biologics are not likely associated to any increased risk. We introduce the concept that the patients' coexisting host-related risk factors, such as comorbidities, are crucial to identify those at higher risk to reactivate TB. We report that preventive TB therapy is well tolerated in patients treated with biological drugs. Expert commentary: Availability of non-anti-TNF targeted biologics, that are not associated with an increased risk of TB reactivation, offers a great opportunity to tailor a therapeutic intervention at low/absent TB risk. After proper LTBI screening investigations, preventive TB therapy has been demonstrated to be effective and well-tolerated to reduce the risk of TB reactivation in rheumatic patients requiring biological drugs.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14787210.2018.1483238DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

preventive therapy
16
biological drugs
16
biologics associated
12
associated increased
12
increased risk
12
patients undergoing
8
undergoing therapy
8
therapy biological
8
rheumatic patients
8
risk reactivation
8

Similar Publications

Introduction: We assessed the risk of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes and birth defects among women living with HIV (WLHIV) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and HIV-negative women.

Methods: We analyzed data on live births, stillbirths, and spontaneous abortions during 2015-2021 from a hospital-based birth defects surveillance system in Kampala, Uganda. ART regimens were recorded from hospital records and maternal self-reports.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A Couple-Based Intervention for Chinese Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

JAMA Netw Open

January 2025

Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.

Importance: Spousal involvement in diabetes care is recommended theoretically, but effectiveness in clinical settings and among diverse populations is unclear.

Objective: To test the effect of a couple-based intervention among Chinese older patients with type 2 diabetes and their spouses.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This multicenter randomized clinical trial comprised 2 arms: a couple-based intervention arm and an individual-based control.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Importance: Influenza vaccination remains the most important intervention to prevent influenza morbidity and mortality among nursing home residents. The additional effectiveness of recombinant influenza vaccine vs standard dose vaccines was demonstrated in outpatient older adults but has not been evaluated in nursing home populations.

Objective: To compare hospitalization rates among residents in nursing homes immunized with a recombinant vs a standard dose egg-based influenza vaccine.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Importance: Caries is the most common chronic childhood disease, with substantial health disparities.

Objective: To test whether parent-targeted oral health text (OHT) messages outperform child wellness text (CWT) messages on pediatric caries increment and oral health behaviors among underserved children attending pediatric well-child visits.

Design, Setting, And Participants: The parallel randomized clinical trial, Interactive Parent-Targeted Text Messaging in Pediatric Clinics to Reduce Caries Among Urban Children (iSmile), included participants who were recruited during pediatric medical clinic visits at 4 sites in Boston, Massachusetts, that serve low-income and racially and ethnically diverse (herein, underserved) populations.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

High incidence of tuberculosis in young children living with HIV in the Western Cape, South Africa.

J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr

January 2025

Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.

Background: Data on tuberculosis (TB) incidence and risk factors among children living with HIV (CLHIV) in the universal ART era are limited.

Methods: We analysed routinely-collected data on TB diagnoses for CLHIV age ≤5 years, born 2018-2022, in the Westen Cape, South Africa. We examined factors associated with TB diagnosis, with death and loss to follow-up as competing events.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!