Outcomes of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis on biological therapy and have a varicella-zoster virus infection

Abstract

Introduction: Varicella virus infection may develop into severe disease in immunocompromised Juvenile idiopathic children. There are few studies that describe the clinical presentation of varicella infection in patients arthritis; with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis when on biological therapy.

Objective: Describe the outcomes of Biological therapy patients with a diagnosis of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, who acquired a varicella virus infection during treatment with biological therapy.

Clinical cases: A description is presented on 4 cases of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis in children between 3 and 12 years old, who developed a varicella-zoster infection during treatment with different biological therapies. Two patients were taking anti-TNF agents, one an Anti IL-6 agent, and one patient a T cell costimulatory blockade agent. Two of them received varicella vaccination prior to the start of biological therapy. All of them received different therapies and had favourable outcome without developing complications. No significant differences were found as regards the type of biological therapy or history of previous vaccination. Biological therapy was suspended for at least 2 weeks in all patients, and was restarted without reactivation of arthritis.

Conclusions: No serious complications were observed in this patient series of children with JIA treated with biological therapy associated with VZV infection