Medication | Effect on immune system | Associated infections* | Pre-treatment screening¶ | Pre-treatment vaccinations | Comments |
IL-4 inhibitors | |||||
Dupilumab | Inhibits IL-4 and IL-13 proinflammatory cytokine pathways |
| Screening for TBI, HBV, and HCV can be decided on a case-by-case basis◊ |
| The impact of dupilumab on infections due to helminths and chronic infections with HBV, HCV, and HIV are unknown, as patients with these conditions were excluded from clinical trials. |
IL-5 inhibitors and anti-IgE monoclonal antibody | |||||
Benralizumab (IL-5) | Inhibits IL-5, leading to depletion of circulating and tissue-resident eosinophils |
| In patients at high risk for parasitic infection§, obtain the following:
|
| If pre-treatment screening was performed and revealed parasitic infection, treat prior to initiating biologic agent. |
Mepolizumab (IL-5) | |||||
Reslizumab (IL-5) | |||||
Omalizumab (IgE) | Inhibits circulating IgE, preventing activation of mast cells and release of inflammatory proteins |
HBV: hepatitis B virus; HCV: hepatitis C virus; HIV: human immunodeficiency virus; HSV: herpes simplex virus; IL: interleukin; IgE: immunoglobulin E; RZV: recombinant zoster vaccine; TBI: tuberculosis infection.
* In addition to the infections listed, typical, common bacterial and viral infections should also be considered in the differential when infection is suspected in a patient taking the specified agent.
¶ For patients who do not have a negative HIV test documented in their records or are at increased risk of acquiring HIV (eg, men who have sex with men, engagement in sex work), the pre-treatment infectious screening process is a good opportunity to provide routine HIV screening prior to the initiation of immunosuppression. Treat any latent or active infections found on pre-treatment screening. Control of infection should be demonstrated prior to initiating immunosuppressive therapy.
Δ Most conjunctivitis seen in patients taking dupilumab is non-infectious, although bacterial and viral conjunctivitis can rarely occur.
◊ Since there are no data indicating increased risk of reactivation with TBI and HBV in patients taking dupilumab, screening for TBI, HBV, and HCV can be decided on a case-by-case basis, based on the patient's risk factors and prior screening history for each of these infections.
§ Individuals at increased risk of parasitic infection are those who live or recently traveled from parasite-endemic countries.
¥ Not necessary to delay starting biologic agent to complete vaccination. RZV vaccination is especially important in those over the age of 50 years.