Open Access<p>CMV Infection: A Clinical Challenge in Biological Therapy? The Case of Asymptomatic Patients with Persistent Positive Immunoglobulin M Anti-CMV Treated with Secukinumab</p>
Author(s) -
Alessio Gambardella,
Gaetano Licata,
Giulia Calabrese,
Alina De Rosa,
Francesca Pagliuca,
Roberto Alfano,
Giuseppe Argenziano
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
psoriasis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2230-326X
DOI - 10.2147/ptt.s284701
Subject(s) - secukinumab , asymptomatic , medicine , cytomegalovirus , immunology , antibody , immune system , psoriasis , herpesviridae , viral disease , virus , psoriatic arthritis
The use of biological therapy is now common practice in the treatment of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID). Currently, there are no guidelines related to the management of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections or reactivation during therapy with biological agents. Furthermore, there is a lack of guidance on the management of asymptomatic patients with persistent positive immunoglobulin (Ig)M anti-CMV after an extended period and who have to undergo therapy with biological agents. We report the case of a patient in this situation for whom treatment with biological drugs for psoriasis was indicated. A good clinical response was obtained with secukinumab and maintained during 6 months of follow-up. No infectious disease or reactivation of CMV infection occurred. We suggest some possible guidelines for the management of such cases.