Biologics

This chapter evaluates biologic therapies, which have revolutionized nearly every discipline of medicine. As the understanding of the relevant immunologic pathways of cancer, rheumatologic disease, and hematopoietic and solid organ transplantation has evolved, so has the discovery of new monoclonal antibodies for targeted therapy. Currently, more than 100 monoclonal antibodies have been approved for clinical use. The chapter highlights two major categories of commonly used monoclonal antibodies and their associated infectious complications. It outlines the immunologic mechanism of action and indications of use of these important biologic therapies. The chapter also examines the commonly reported infectious complications and summarizes the role for pre-implementation diagnostics, post-implementation surveillance, and antimicrobial prophylaxis.