Collagen-vascular diseases

PubMed, the Internet portal of biomedical and life sciences literature, indexed an interesting article, entitled ”Immunosuppression related to collagen-vascular disease or its treatment” (Proc Am Thorac Soc. 2005;2(5):456-60). Author is Hamilton CD from the Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Duke University Medical Center, Durham. Collagen-vascular diseases are associated with immune dysregulation and inflammation, leading to tissue destruction or compromise. Immunosuppression is more commonly associated with the drugs used to treat these disorders than with the diseases themselves. The newest agents being used to treat collagen-vascular diseases are the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibitors. They are particularly effective in breaking down granulomatous inflammation, which makes them effective treatment for sarcoidosis and Wegener’s granulomatosis. This same property makes them likely to break down the host defense mechanism. The most common infection reported with the TNF-alpha inhibitors has been tuberculosis, which may manifest as pulmonary and/or extrapulmonary disease. To access the abstract of the article, click here.