Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 26, 2025

Author Spotlight: Oral Candida Diagnosis to Advance Clinical Treatment Regimen for pSS Patients
05:26

Author Spotlight: Oral Candida Diagnosis to Advance Clinical Treatment Regimen for pSS Patients

Published on: March 1, 2024

1.2K

Risk of Candida Infection and Serious Infections in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis Receiving Biologics: A

Yue Feng1, Baosen Zhou2, Zhen Wang1

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Shenyang Seventh People's Hospital, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning, China.

International Journal of Clinical Practice
|October 10, 2022
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Biological agents for psoriasis, particularly anti-interleukin-17 (IL-17) therapies, increase the risk of Candida infections. However, these biologic agents do not elevate the risk of serious infections in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Dermatology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Biologic agents are used to treat moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.
  • Previous observations suggest an association between these agents and infections, including Candida species.
  • The specific risks of Candida and serious infections among different biologics require verification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate whether biologic agents increase the risk of Candida infections and serious infections in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.
  • To compare the risks of these infections among different classes of biologic agents.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library was conducted for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to December 2021.
  • Peto's method with a fixed-effects model was used to pool results from individual RCTs.
  • Heterogeneity was assessed using I-squared, bias risk was examined using a Cochrane collaboration tool, and evidence quality was evaluated using GRADE criteria.

Main Results:

  • Data from 52 RCTs involving 27,297 participants were analyzed.
  • Anti-interleukin (IL)-17 agents and anti-IL-12/23 agents were associated with an increased risk of Candida infection compared to placebo.
  • No significant difference in Candida infection risk was found between anti-IL-17 agents and tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi).
  • No evidence indicated an increased risk of serious infections with biologic agents in adult psoriasis patients, nor significant differences in serious infection risk among biologics.

Conclusions:

  • Anti-IL-17 agents, notably secukinumab, are linked to a higher risk of Candida infection.
  • Clinically utilized biologic agents did not demonstrate an increased risk of serious infections in the studied population.
  • Further research may be warranted to refine risk stratification for specific biologic therapies.

More Related Videos

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract07:42

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract

Published on: July 1, 2020

5.4K
The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis11:39

The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis

Published on: July 11, 2013

39.0K

Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
297
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
12.2K
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF01:24

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF

Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), a proinflammatory cytokine, contributes significantly to the inflammation seen in Crohn's disease. It exists as soluble TNF and membrane-bound TNF, with actions mediated through TNF receptors (TNFR). TNFR activation leads to the release of proinflammatory cytokines, T-cell activation, collagen production, and leukocyte migration, all contributing to inflammation in Crohn's disease. Anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies, namely infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab...
215
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents01:29

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel...
250
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids01:21

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids

Glucocorticoids, a class of anti-inflammatory drugs, are pivotal in treating moderate to severe Crohn's disease by inducing remission. They exhibit their anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1, and chemokines like IL-8. In addition, they reduce the expression of inflammatory cell adhesion molecules and inhibit gene transcription of nitric oxide synthase, phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase-2...
190
Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
4.0K