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World J Gastroenterol. Aug 7, 2014; 20(29): 9691-9698
Published online Aug 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i29.9691
Preventing infective complications in inflammatory bowel disease
Justine Mill, Ian C Lawrance
Justine Mill, Ian C Lawrance, Centre for inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Fremantle Hospital, Fremantle, WA 6059, Australia
Ian C Lawrance, Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Fremantle Hospital, Fremantle, WA 6059, Australia
Author contributions: Mill J and Lawrance IC wrote and designed this paper; both authors approved the final version of the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Ian C Lawrance, Professor, Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Fremantle Hospital, Alma Street, Fremantle, WA 6059, Australia. ian.lawrance@uwa.edu.au
Telephone: +61-8-94316347 Fax: +61-8-94313160
Received: October 15, 2013
Revised: February 18, 2014
Accepted: April 21, 2014
Published online: August 7, 2014
Processing time: 295 Days and 22.3 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: In inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) there is increasing use of immunosuppressives and the biological agents, which are being used earlier in the course of disease, and for longer durations. This, however, has the potential to increase the risk of opportunistic and serious infections in these patients, most of which are preventable. A balance thus needs to be struck between medication use to control the disease with minimization of the risk of an opportunistic infection. This outcome is achieved by the physician’s tailored use of justified therapies, and the patients’ education and actions to minimize infection risk. The purpose of this review is to explore the evidence and guidelines available to all physicians managing patients with IBD.