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Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis Risk in Patients Treated with Biologic Therapies: New Research

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research published in Clinical Infectious Diseases has shed light on the risk of tuberculosis (TB) in patients treated with biologic therapies (BioT). A study conducted at the University of Barcelona, Spain, assessing the risk of TB in 1368 patients treated with BioT, found that TB infection was diagnosed in 327 patients, with 11 developing TB during follow-up. The study concludes that, while BioT-associated TB can be significantly reduced, it is not completely preventable, and periodic systematic re-testing of patients under biological therapies is unnecessary.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that TB infection was diagnosed in 23.9% of patients treated with BioT, with the risk decreasing significantly over time.
  • The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for TB infection were 0.89, 0.49, and 0.23 for the second, third, and fourth periods, respectively, indicating a decreasing risk of TB infection with time.
  • The probability of remaining TB-free after 11 years of BioT exposure was 99.1%, with no significant differences between screening periods.
  • TB cases in patients with negative baseline screening occurred within the first year of BioT exposure, highlighting the importance of assessment and treatment of TB infection in specialist clinics.
  • Using QuantiFERON-TB as a stand-alone test for tuberculosis infection reduces unnecessary treatments.
  • Periodic systematic re-testing of patients under biological therapies is unnecessary.

Statistics:

  • 1368 patients starting BioT were screened for TB infection using four different screening strategies.
  • TB infection was diagnosed in 327 (23.9%) patients.
  • 11 patients (0.8%) developed TB during follow-up.
  • The probability of remaining TB-free after 11 years of BioT exposure was 99.1%.
  • TB cases in patients with negative baseline screening occurred within the first year of BioT exposure.

Sources:

  • Clinical Infectious Diseases, "Prevention of Tuberculosis In Patients Treated With Biological Therapies: 20 Years' Experience In a Specialized Tuberculosis Clinic In a Low-prevalence Country," 2025.
  • TB & Outbreaks Week, "Findings in the Area of Tuberculosis Reported from University of Barcelona (Prevention of Tuberculosis In Patients Treated With Biological Therapies: 20 Years' Experience In a Specialized Tuberculosis Clinic In a Low-prevalence Country)," October 21, 2025, p 1483.

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