how should we manage latent tuberculosis infection in patients receiving anti-tnf-α drugs: literature review

How should we manage incidentalomas?

The patient-centered medical home model advocates that diagnostic testing be performed based on shared decision making between the patient and physician.1 This goal can be challenging when findings are uncertain or incidental to the original reason for ordering the test. For this reason, it would be useful for physicians to have guidelines to help address the ethical, practical, and legal impli...

How should we manage oral leukoplakia?

The aim of this article is to review the management of oral leukoplakia. The topics of interest are clinical diagnosis, methods of management and their outcome, factors associated with malignant transformation, prognosis, and clinical follow-up. Global prevalence is estimated to range from 0.5 to 3.4%. The point prevalence is estimated to be 2.6% (95% CI 1.72-2.74) with a reported rate of malig...

How should we diagnose and manage photosensitivity?

Identification of latent tuberculosis infection in rheumatic patients under consideration for treatment with anti-TNF-α agents

INTRODUCTION Immunosuppressive therapy with anti-tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) agents in rheumatic patients modulates the immune system and may increase the risk of reactivating infections that are normally maintained in a latent state, such as tuberculosis. The purpose of this study was to analyse the value of QuantiFERON TB Gold In-Tube (QFT IT) and tuberculin skin test (TST) in BCG vaccin...

“How should we treat older patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer, A Review”

Nearly 50 % of newly diagnosed colorectal cancer, affect people over 70 years of age. Inclusion of older patients in clinical trials has been extremely rare. As a result, there is debate on how to manage these patients because it is still unclear how to balance the therapeutic advantages and toxicities. For patients who do not have comorbid conditions, with performance status (P.S.) 0–1, treatm...

Investigation of latent tuberculosis infection in patients with psoriasis who are candidate for receiving immunobiological drugs.

The use of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors for the treatment of patients with psoriasis has been related to a higher incidence of tuberculosis, specially the disseminated and extrapulmonary forms. Despite their efficacy, these drugs increase the risk of reactivating latent tuberculosis infection, thus requiring diagnosis of the condition before their administration. Investigation of latent tub...