[Biologics and infections: treat and prevent]

Although biologics used for systemic therapy of dermatological conditions are generally well tolerated, infection complications can still occur depending on the specific substance. Important measures to increase patient adherence to therapy, therefore, include providing appropriate information about the possible occurrence of infections, their prevention, and treatment. For example, in the case of recurrent Candida infections of the skin and mucous membranes under treatment with interleukin (IL)-17 blockers, fluconazole can be administered once a week as recurrence prophylaxis. In cases of increased risk of herpes zoster under systemic therapy with rituximab, mogamulizumab, or anifrolumab, vaccination with the adjuvanted herpes zoster subunit (HZ/su) attenuated vaccine is recommended. This article on infectious complications under systemic therapy with biologics summarizes possible infection prevention measures and treatment strategies.