Prevention of infections in patients with rheumatic diseases

Patients with rheumatic diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, are inherently susceptible to infections. This is further compounded by treatment with corticosteroids and immunosuppressives used to treat these disorders. The spectrum of infections is wide and diagnosis often difficult. Infections account for a fair proportion of deaths in these patients. Prevention is, therefore, important. This article reviews the reasons for increased susceptibility to infections, the deleterious effects of therapy on defenses against infections, and the preventive strategies to be adopted.