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Evaluation, treatment, and prophylaxis of infections complicating systemic vasculitis
1Immunologic Diseases Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1876, USA.
Abstract:
Infection continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic vasculitis. The recognition and treatment of infections in these patients is a particularly difficult task because the spectrum of potential pathogens is broad and the clinical manifestations of infection often mimic those of the underlying disease. This article provides 1) a general overview of the immunosuppressive properties of agents commonly used in the treatment of systemic vasculitis, and 2) a framework for the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of various infectious syndromes in patients with systemic vasculitis.