[Infection risks in multiple sclerosis therapy by infusion of disease modifying drugs]

The increased risk of developing infections when using disease-modifying drugs for treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) is a major challenge in the daily clinical routine. In the growing field of treatment options specific knowledge of treatment-related risks of infections and appropriate preventive and countermeasures is mandatory. Current clinical experience shows that an individual risk stratification is necessary when choosing treatment options and while monitoring during and after treatment administration. The determination of the individual risk of infection in the context of serial use of disease-modifying drugs remains a challenging issue. In addition to the mechanisms of action, the warning notices and current recommendations on infection prophylaxis when using intravenous disease-modifying drugs, such as alemtuzumab, natalizumab and mitoxantron, are presented in detail.