Infections in inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease constitute a population with a special predisposition to develop bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Iatrogenic immunosuppression, frequent contact with healthcare facilities and surgical interventions are some of the risk factors that explain why these infections are one of the main causes of morbi-mortality in this disease. Some of these infections follow a subtle and paucisymptomatic evolution; their diagnosis and management may become a real challenge for the attending physician if their screening is not systematized or they are not considered in the differential diagnosis. The objective of this review is to provide an update from a practical and concise perspective on the knowledge regarding the epidemiology, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the most common infections.

Keywords: Colitis ulcerosa; Crohn's disease; Enfermedad de Crohn; Enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal; Immunosuppression; Infecciones; Infections; Inflammatory bowel disease; Inmunosupresión; Ulcerative colitis.