TNF Blockers Get Boxed Warning on 2 Bacterial InfectionsTNF Blockers Get Boxed Warning on 2 Bacterial Infections

A recent FDA review of the drug class, prescribed for various forms of arthritis and other disorders, uncovered serious and sometimes fatal infections by Legionella and Listeria. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

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Epidemiology of Respiratory Infections Caused by Atypical Bacteria in Two Kenyan Refugee Camps

Abstract   Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Legionella spp. are common causes of atypical pneumonia; however, data about these atypical pathogens are limited in the refugee setting. Paired nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal specimens were collected from patients with respiratory illness presenting to healthcare centers in two refugee camps in Kenya. The specimens were tested for C. pneumoniae, M. pneumoniae, and Legionella spp. as well as eight respiratory viruses. Atypical pathogens were detected in 5.5% of the specimens of which 54% were co-infected with at least one of the eight viruses tested. Patients positive for atypical bacteria co-infected with virus were significantly more likely to have severe acute respiratory illness than patients infected with onl...

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FDA Warns of New Infections With TNF Blockers

(MedPage Today) -- The Food and Drug Administration has updated the boxed warning for all tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibiting drugs to reflect the risk of infection from the bacteria Legionella and Listeria. (Source: MedPage Today Rheumatology)

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