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…
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…
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…
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…
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 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…
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…
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…
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…
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are highly vulnerable to infections because of abnormalities in their immune system, and because of immunosuppressive effects of their medications. Vaccinations in this population are complicated…
