Cytomegalovirus and Other Herpesviruses

Abstract

The rapid development of biologic therapies in recent years has revolutionized the treatment of many diseases for which there were no therapeutic alternatives. These treatments have mainly benefitted patients with hematological, rheumatologic, dermatological, and gastroenterological diseases. As these are novel therapies, their adverse effects and long-term outcomes are under continuous review. The mechanism of action of biologic therapies directly or indirectly affects the immune system, so a higher incidence of infections associated with their use can be expected. Among viral infections, those caused by viruses of the family Herpesviridae, especially cytomegalovirus, varicella-zoster virus, herpes simplex virus, and Epstein-Barr virus, are of important clinical relevance in both the general population and immunosuppressed patients. In this chapter we review the viral infections associated with these therapies.