Incidence and characteristics of the 2009 influenza (H1N1) infections in inflammatory bowel disease patients

Implications of recurrent SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks for IBD management

The initial phases of the global SARS-CoV2 pandemic had significant implications for the management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This impact is likely to be sustained and far-reaching across all models of care. Initial questions about the risk of SARS-CoV2 infection, and COVID-19 complications, in patients taking maintenance anti-TNFs, JAK inhibitors and other immune modulators have preliminary data. Current models for SARS-CoV-2 transmission predict intermittent outbreaks until 2022, which could disrupt clinical care and negatively affect outcomes for many patients across the globe. This review summarises changes in IBD clinical practice that will be required during the 'post-peak' phase of viral pandemics.

The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Specialty Medical Home: A New Model of Patient-centered Care

New models of health care have emerged over the past decade. Accountable care organizations and patient-centered medical homes are designed to improve the patient experience, enhance health care quality, and decrease cost. These models have been developed in the primary care domain and have yet to be tested in specialty care. Certain chronic diseases require principal care by a specialist or health care team. The specialty medical home would provide patient-centered care for specific populations of patients whose health care derives from a single chronic disease. This article defines the parameters for a specialty medical home and provides a specific payer-provider experience for the comprehensive care of an inflammatory bowel disease population.

Updates in vaccination: recommendations for adult inflammatory bowel disease patients

Treatment regimens for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) incorporate the use of a variety of immunosuppressive agents that increase the risk of infections. Prevention of many of these infections can be achieved by the timely and judicious use of vaccinations. IBD patients tend to be under-immunized. Some of the contributing factors are lack of awareness regarding the significance of vaccinating IBD patients, misperception about safety of vaccinations in immunocompromised patients, ambiguity about the perceived role of the gastroenterologist in contrast to the primary care physician and unavailability of vaccination guidelines focused on IBD population. In general, immunocompetent IBD patients can be vaccinated using standard vaccination recommendations. However there are special considerations for IBD patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy, IBD travelers and pregnant women with IBD. This review discusses current vaccination recommendations with updates for adult IBD patients. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2013 vaccination guidelines with 2014 updates and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations have been highlighted as a primary source of recommendations.

Infliximab and/or immunomodulators inhibit immune responses to trivalent influenza vaccination in adults with inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Appropriate influenza vaccination is important for patients with inflammatory bowel disease under immunosuppressive therapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of immunosuppressive therapy on the immune response to the trivalent influenza vaccine in adult patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

METHODS

In this cohort study, 91 participants received a single dose of influenza vaccine for the 2010/2011 season. Serum samples were collected at 3 different times (pre-vaccination, 3 weeks post-vaccination, and after flu season) to measure hemagglutination inhibition antibody titers. Immune responses were compared based on immunosuppressive therapy.

RESULTS

Among the 88 subjects who completed the study, the influenza vaccine induced a more than 4-fold increase in the mean antibody level for all flu strains. The overall seroprotection proportion (post-vaccination titer ≥ 1:40) was 81% for H1N1, 61% for H3N2, and 86% for B. Treatment with an immunomodulator reduced the immune response to the H1N1 strain (OR=0.20, p=0.01), and treatment with infliximab reduced the immune response to the other strains (H3N2 strain: OR=0.37, p=0.02; B strain: OR=0.18, p=0.03). Combination therapy with azathioprine/6-mercaptopurine and infliximab significantly inhibited the immune response to H1N1 (OR=0.056, p=0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Infliximab and/or immunomodulators inhibit immune responses to some strains of trivalent influenza vaccination in adults with inflammatory bowel disease. For optimization of the trivalent influenza vaccination for patients with adult inflammatory bowel disease treated with immunosuppressive agents, establishing an effective vaccination method is crucial.

A prospective analysis of the incidence of and risk factors for opportunistic infections in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

Immunosuppressants lead to an increased risk of infection, but few prospective studies have assessed the incidence of opportunistic infections in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, a high proportion of whom are treated with immunosuppressants. The aim of this study was to assess the age distribution of Japanese IBD patients with opportunistic infections and the risk factors associated with these infections.

METHODS

A multicenter, prospective study of 570 IBD patients was conducted. The patients were followed for up to 12 months to identify any new infections. The incidence of opportunistic infections and the age distribution of patients with these infections were analyzed. We carried out a case-control study in which 2 non-infected IBD patients were selected as controls for each case (infected IBD patient); the effect of medications on the infection rate was also examined.

RESULTS

Fifty-two (9.1 %) of 570 IBD patients developed opportunistic infections. Herpes simplex virus and herpes zoster virus infections were observed in 29 and 16 patients, respectively. No cases of active tuberculosis were observed. The incidence of opportunistic infections in patients aged 50 years or over was significantly higher than that in the other age groups (p = 0.01). The use of steroids (p = 0.02), thiopurine (p < 0.01), and immunosuppressant combination therapy (p < 0.01) was associated with an increased rate of opportunistic infections. However, the use of infliximab was not associated with an increased rate of opportunistic infections (p = 0.62). Multivariate analysis indicated that the use of thiopurine was an independent risk factor for opportunistic infections (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Age ≥50 years and the use of immunosuppressants are risk factors for opportunistic infections in patients with IBD. In our cohort, tuberculosis was not seen as a complication of immunosuppressant therapy.