Infections in immunosuppressed travellers with autoimmune inflammatory diseases—a narrative review and advice for clinical practice. (22nd May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Allen, Victoria; Longley, Nicky
• Is Part Of: Rheumatology. Volume 60:Number 9(2021)
• Page Start: 3969
• Page End: 3976
• Publication Date: 2021-05-22
• Subjects: travel medicine -- travel vaccines -- travel-related infections -- immunosuppression -- immunosuppressed travellers -- travel risk assessment -- visiting friends and relatives -- vaccine responses -- autoimmune disease -- targeted therapies; Rheumatism -- Periodicals; Rheumatology -- Periodicals; 616.723005
• DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab445
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1462-0324

Abstract

Abstract: The management of autoimmune, inflammatory diseases has been revolutionized by biologic therapies. A beneficial consequence of better disease control is that more patients are well enough to travel the world. There is now a class of traveller, the significantly immunosuppressed person with autoimmune disease, with specific risks and requirements. This review introduces the concept of the pre-travel risk assessment and discusses the major vaccine-preventable and non-vaccine-preventable travel-associated infections. The challenges and controversies around vaccination and immunosuppression are reviewed with advice for clinical practice.