Infectious risk in multiple sclerosis patients treated with disease-modifying therapies: A three-year observational cohort study

Background The disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) largely used in multiple sclerosis (MS) may result in higher infectious risk. Objective We aimed to investigate the infectious risk in DMT-treated MS patients. Methods MS patients were evaluated for infectious risk before starting, switching or during DMT. Results In this three-year observational cohort study 174 MS patients were enrolled. Among them, 18 patients were anti-HBc + and 19 patients were QuantiFERON (R)-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT) + . No patients with anti-HBc + showed a detectable HBV-DNA and all started DMT. Among QTB + patients, 17 latent TB infections (LTBIs) and 2 active TB infections (TBIs) were identified. After one month of LTBI prophylaxis or TB treatment, respectively, all patients started DMTs. Overall, 149 started DMTs. During DMTs, one ocrelizumab-treated patient with anti-HBc + developed HBV reactivation and six patients (3 on natalizumab, 2 on ocrelizumab and 1 on IFN-beta) showed reactivation of HSV-1, with detectable plasma DNA. Finally, 1 cladribine-treated patient experienced VZV reactivation. All the reactivations of latent infections have been successfully treated. Conclusion Screening of infectious diseases in DMT candidate MS patients helps to mitigate the infectious risk. During DMTs, a regular assessment of infectious risk allows to avoid discontinuing MS therapy and guarantees a higher degree of safety.