RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Screening and Monitoring of Latent Tubercular Infection in Patients Taking Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Blockers for Psoriatic Arthritis
JF The Journal of Rheumatology
JO J Rheumatol
FD The Journal of Rheumatology
SP 82
OP 85
DO 10.3899/jrheum.120252
VO 89
A1 ALESSANDRO SANDUZZI
A1 MARIALUISA BOCCHINO
A1 MARIANGELA ATTENO
A1 LUISA COSTA
A1 ANTONIO PONTICIELLO
A1 ALESSANDRO MATARESE
A1 ANGELO SPANÒ
A1 VINCENZO BRUNER
A1 ROSARIO PELUSO
A1 MARIA MADDALENA AQUINO
A1 ANTONIO DEL PUENTE
A1 RAFFAELE SCARPA
YR 2012
UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/89/82.abstract
AB Patients with arthritis who need treatment with biologics are carefully screened for possible previous exposure to tuberculosis to detect any latent tubercular infection (LTBI). The traditional method of screening for LTBI is not specific, because positivity could also depend on infection by atypical mycobacteria and bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccination. In addition, the screening does not show high sensitivity, frequently presenting a false negativity because of immunosuppression caused by drugs used for arthritis. Recently, interferon-γ release assays (IGRA) have been used to screen LTBI with more sensitivity and specificity before treatment with anti-tumor necrosis factor-α drugs. Moreover, in our experience, IGRA are potentially useful in monitoring LTBI during biologic therapy.