ECCO guidelines on the prevention, diagnosis, and management of infections in inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

The introduction and broad use of new immunosuppressive agents, including biologic agents and JAK inhibitors, have revolutionised treatment of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] in recent decades. With such immunosuppression, the potential for opportunistic infection is a key safety concern. Opportunistic infections pose particular problems for the clinician; they are potentially serious, often difficult to recognise, associated with appreciable morbidity or mortality, and are challenging to treat effectively. The first guideline on opportunistic infections was published in 2009 followed by an update in 2014. New evidence in this field and in vaccination strategies for immunosuppressed IBD patients led the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organization [ECCO] to update the previous consensus on opportunistic infections in IBD. The current document is focused on viral, mycobacterial, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections and on vaccination strategies for immuno-suppressed IBD patients. The target audience includes IBD specialists, gastroenterologists, surgeons, and paediatricians.