Tuberculosis during TNF-α inhibitor therapy, despite screening.

As part of a prospective study on the safety of TNF- inhibitor therapy after screening for and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), we report two patients who developed active tuberculosis (TB) infection during TNF- inhibitor therapy, despite negative screening for LTBI. The clinical history is suggestive of a primary infection acquired during travelling to TB-endemic countries. In this lesson of the month we would like to highlight the risk of travelling to TB-endemic areas in patients treated with TNF- inhibitor therapy.Screening for latent tuberculosis infection is not enough to prevent tuberculosis in patients treated with TNF- inhibitor therapy Screening for latent tuberculosis infection is not enough to prevent tuberculosis in patients treated with TNF-alpha inhibitor therapy