Infections in the lupus patient: perspectives on prevention

We recommend screening for infectious comorbidities such as tuberculosis and viral hepatitis at the first clinical encounter in patients with lupus in addition to recommending pneumococcal vaccination and yearly influenza vaccination. There is currently limited evidence to support antibiotic prophylaxis for SLE patients on immunosuppressive agents to prevent penumocystis or to support screening for cytomegalovirus and further study is required. Lastly, timely antibiotic treatment in patients with lupus who are hospitalized with infectious complications is important, as delayed antibiotic treatment may be associated with increased mortality.