The Center for Biosimilars interviewed HSS rheumatologist Anne R. Bass, MD, on the importance of screening for tuberculosis (TB) before initiating treatment with the biologic infliximab.

Dr. Bass explained that "infliximab is a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor, and these agents interfere with the body's ability to defend against certain kinds of infections, particularly viral infections and infections like TB."

She also pointed out that if someone has been exposed to TB, the bacteria could stay latent in the lungs and become reactivated with the biologic.

"You want to make sure to know if they've been exposed to TB so that they can be given treatment, and then subsequently be able to take a medicine like infliximab," Dr. Bass noted.

Watch the full video at centerforbiosimilars.com