Mycoses occurring during biological therapy

Abstract

The development of targeted biologic therapies has led to significant advances in the treatment of several immunemediated inflammatory diseases like psoriasis (PsO), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS). By targeting the cytokines which play crucial role in the pathogenesis of treated disease, there is disruption of hosts innate and adaptive immune response, leading to the increased risk and susceptibility to infections, especially fungal infections. Superficial fungal infections and mucocutaneous candidiasis are the most common and frequent conditions that associate with biologics, especially IL-17 inhibitors. Healthcare providers should know that biologics have an ability to alter typical presentation of fungal infections, so timely recognized and treated infection can reduce patients’ morbidity and mortality.