Hepatitis B Reactivation in Rheumatic Diseases
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation (HBVr) has been an increasingly recognized and appreciated risk of immunosuppressive therapies in rheumatic patients. Despite its potential for significant morbidity and mortality, HBVr is…
Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Rheumatic Diseases
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with liver and extrahepatic complications, including B-cell lymphoma, cardiovascular and kidney diseases, glucose metabolism impairment and rheumatic conditions ie, arthralgia, myalgia, cryoglobulinemia…
Incidence and Prevention of Herpes Zoster Reactivation in Patients with Autoimmune Diseases
Herpes zoster is the reactivation of latent varicella zoster virus usually occurring decades after initial exposure, and manifesting as a painful vesicular rash occurring along one or more dermatomes. Zoster…
The Risk of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy in the Biologic Era
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare, typically fatal, demyelinating central nervous system infection caused by reactivation of the John Cunningham virus that generally occurs in immunosuppressed patients. With an…
Malignancy and Janus Kinase Inhibition
The use of biologics such as anti–tumor necrosis factor and oral Janus kinase inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The risk of malignancies such as lymphomas, lung…
Immune-Related Adverse Effects of Cancer Immunotherapy— Implications for Rheumatology
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are increasingly studied and used as therapy for a growing number of malignancies. ICIs work by blocking inhibitory pathways of T-cell activation, leading to an immune…
Malignancy and the Risks of Biologic Therapies
Cancer is a common event in patients with rheumatic diseases. In some cases, the disease, its risk factors, or its treatment could play a role in favoring cancer. This article…
Barriers to Immunizations and Strategies to Enhance Immunization Rates in Adults with Autoimmune Inflammatory Diseases
For as long as there have been immunizations, there have been barriers to them. Immunization rates in the United States are below target. Rheumatologists and rheumatology practitioners need to understand…
Opportunistic Infections in Biological Therapy, Risk and Prevention
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…
