TNF-alpha antagonists have changed the outcome of various chronic inflammatory diseases. Their use has spread widely and many patients receive those treatments for years. Previous reports found that the use of TNF-alpha antagonists may be associated with an increased risk of serious bacterial infections. We report 47 prospective bacteremia cases from the RATIO registry.
A national prospective study was conducted in France between 2004 and 2007 to collect severe bacterial infections in patients receiving TNF-alpha antagonists. All reported cases of bacteremia were validated by an expert committee.
Forty-seven bacteremic episodes were reported. Staphylococcus aureus represented the most frequent causative pathogen (40%) and was mostly associated with bones and/or joints infections (68%) and with a worse outcome compared to that observed with other bacterial pathogens.
Patients receiving TNF-alpha antagonists may develop bacteremia and S. aureus has to be included in the spectrum of the initial empiric antimicrobial therapy.