Open AccessInfectious risk stratification in multiple sclerosis patients receiving immunotherapy
Author(s) -
Graf Jonas,
Leussink Verena I.,
Dehmel Thomas,
Ringelstein Marius,
Goebels Norbert,
Adams Ortwin,
MacKenzie Colin R.,
Warnke Clemens,
Feldt Torsten,
Lammerskitten Anna,
Klotz Luisa,
Meuth Sven,
Wiendl Heinz,
Hartung HansPeter,
Aktas Orhan,
Albrecht Philipp
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
annals of clinical and translational neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.824
H-Index - 42
ISSN - 2328-9503
DOI - 10.1002/acn3.491
Subject(s) - medicine , multiple sclerosis , cohort , neuromyelitis optica , latent tuberculosis , tuberculosis , retrospective cohort study , cohort study , immunology , mycobacterium tuberculosis , pathology
The increasing number of potent treatments for multiple sclerosis warrants screening for infections. To investigate the prevalence of infections in two independent German patient cohorts with multiple sclerosis/neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders ( NMOSD ), we performed a retrospective chart review study of multiple sclerosis/ NMOSD patients who underwent testing for infections between 2014 and 2016. We show that 6 out of 80 tested patients (Düsseldorf cohort) and 2 out of 97 tested patients (Münster cohort) had a latent tuberculosis infection; total 3.95%, 95% CI: 2–8%. Our findings suggest that latent tuberculosis infection is frequent (>1%). Screening should be performed before embarking on immunomodulatory therapies to allow treatment and mitigation of the risk of a reactivation.