[Glucocorticoids and infection].

Abstract

Glucocorticosteroids are the most commonly used immunosuppressive agents. In the following review important mechanisms of action of glucocorticoids on the immunological network are summarized, the relationship between duration of therapy, daily dose and incidence of infections is analysed, and evidence is presented that in some infectious diseases glucocorticoids may even be beneficial. The association between corticosteroid therapy and subsequent infections was calculated by pooling the data from 73 controlled clinical trials (meta-analysis). The rate of infectious complications was not increased in patients given a daily dose of less than 10 mg or a cumulative dose of less than 700 mg prednisone. With increasing doses the occurrence rate of infectious complications increased in patients given corticosteroids as well as in patients given placebo, a finding which suggests that not only the corticosteroid but also the underlying disease state accounts for the steroid-associated infectious complications observed in clinical practice. To analyze the effect of glucocorticoids prescribed as adjuvants in patients with infectious diseases, an analysis of the controlled trials was performed. Some patients with pulmonary tuberculosis or constrictive pericarditis have a better outcome when they are given prednisone. On the other hand, there is no evidence that patients with septic shock or ARDS derive advantage from glucocorticoid therapy. At present there is controversy as to whether patients with bacterial meningitis should be treated with glucocorticosteroids. Patients with hepatitis B should not be treated with glucocorticoids, whereas elderly patients less frequently show postherpetic neuralgia when given glucocorticosteroids. Patients with cerebral malaria should not be given glucocorticosteroids. Aids patients with pneumocystis carinii pneumonia have a higher survival rate when treated with glucocorticosteroids than with placebo.

• Authors: F J Frey, R F Speck
• Journal: Schweizerische medizinische Wochenschrift (Schweiz Med Wochenschr) Vol. 122 Issue 5 Pg. 137-46 (Feb 01 1992) ISSN: 0036-7672 [Print] Switzerland
• Vernacular Title: Glukokortikoide und Infekt.
• PMID: 1738819 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Glucocorticoids

Topics

• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Glucocorticoids (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Immune System (drug effects)
• Infections (drug therapy, etiology, immunology)
• Meningitis, Bacterial (drug therapy)
• Pneumonia, Pneumocystis (drug therapy)
• Shock, Septic (drug therapy)