Infection News

The next phase of pre-exposure prophylaxis against SARS-CoV-2 currently rests on the shoulders of a single monoclonal antibody product — but it may not be enough for immunocompromised populations.

SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially a severe case or without vaccination, significantly increases the long-term risk for developing autoimmune and autoinflammatory connective tissue diseases, according to data published in JAMA Dermatology.

WASHINGTON — Severe acute COVID-19 infection, as well as glucocorticoid and rituximab use, increase the risk for long COVID in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases, according to data presented at ACR Convergence 2024.

WASHINGTON — Approximately 20% of patients meeting the 2016 fibromyalgia criteria report post-exertional malaise, which itself may be key to understanding both long COVID and fatigue in patients with rheumatic diseases, according to data.

WASHINGTON — The correlation between autoantibodies and new-onset autoimmune disease in individuals with long COVID symptoms remains “controversial,” according to a speaker at ACR Convergence 2024.

WASHINGTON — Among patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases, circulating interleukin-18 levels were lower in those with long COVID vs. those without, according to data presented at ACR Convergence 2024.

WASHINGTON — Patients with inflammatory arthritis who receive rituximab, interleukin-6 inhibition or Janus kinase inhibitors demonstrate higher severe infection risks vs. TNF inhibitors, according to data presented at ACR Convergence 2024.

WASHINGTON — Withholding Janus kinase or interleukin-17 inhibitors from patients with rheumatoid arthritis or spondyloarthritis does not significantly benefit COVID-19 booster response, according to data presented at ACR Convergence 2024.

WASHINGTON — Herpes zoster vaccination is effective in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and multiple sclerosis, without increasing the risk for severe lupus flares, according to data presented at ACR Convergence 2024.