[Biologics and infections: understand and recognize]

It is now impossible to imagine dermatology without the use of biologics. The numerous substances approved for the treatment of chronic inflammatory skin diseases in recent decades have become an integral part of dermatological treatment plans. Severe chronic inflammatory dermatoses such as psoriasis vulgaris, atopic dermatitis, and hidradenitis suppurativa can be significantly relieved using these therapeutics. The specific inhibition of important immunological pathways leads to a decrease in disease activity, but the reduction of particular proinflammatory cytokines may also impair the immune response and increase susceptibility to infections. For example, systemic therapy with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors can lead to the reactivation of latent tuberculosis infection, and the use of interleukin (IL)-17 blockers has been associated with an increase in candida infections of the skin and mucous membranes. This article presents an overview of possible infection complications during systemic therapy with biologics.