Infections

Vaccinations for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) suffer an increased burden of infectious disease-related morbidity and mortality and have twice the risk of acquiring a severe infection compared to the general population. This increased risk is not…
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Infection and Autoimmunity are like the 2 Sides of The Force: extreme opposites yet inextricably intertwined. Infection can trigger Autoimmunity. Suppressing the latter risks the former running amok. Can Vaccination bring Balance?

The questions are: Who needs what vaccinations? Will they work? Are they safe? When should they be given? No easy answers. The saga, and research, continues.

Shingles may lead to stroke and heart attack

The herpes zoster virus causes chickenpox and shingles; following shingles, there appears to be a higher risk of acute cardiovascular events such as stroke or myocardial infarction
www.medicalnewstoday.com

Patients on Steroids, Methotrexate and Xeljanz may be at higher risk for developing Zoster. Trouble is, the vaccine is “live”, contraindicated in patients while on such immunosuppressants.

Serious infection risk rose with opioid use in rheumatoid arthritis

Patients taking opioids for rheumatoid arthritis are at significantly higher risk of serious infection, particularly those taking long-acting formulations or opioids…
www.rheumatologynews.com|By BIANCA NOGRADY

Opioids are roundly bad in treating rheumatic pain. More evidence in coming days.

Fungal Infections Rare with Anti-TNF Agents

Only one in 200 patients affected in large study
www.medpagetoday.com

Pre-treatment screening and continual pharmacovigilance may have made biologics safer to use.

Infection Risks Similar for Xeljanz, Biologics in RA

Meta-analysis included data from more than 40,000 patients
medpagetoday.com

RA patients on targeted therapies have 50% to 150% higher risk for serious infections, but absolute numbers are low.