[Infections in inflammatory bowel disease]

Infections significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Major risk factors for opportunistic infections in IBD include malnutrition, comorbidities, age and immunosuppression. While the risk of infection associated with corticosteroids, thiopurines, and TNFα antibodies has been determined in large, population-based studies, less is known about the risk associated with antibodies targeting gut-selective integrins. Furthermore, controversial data exist regarding the risk of infection under combined immunosuppression. In clinical practice, screening for infectious diseases before medical immunosuppression and delineation of disease flares from infectious complications remains of critical importance.