Treatment With Anti–Tumor Necrosis Factor Biologic Agents in Human T Lymphotropic Virus Type I–Positive Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

These data suggest that HTLV-I–positive patients with RA had higher inflammation and greater resistance to anti-TNF treatment than HTLV-I–negative patients. Further study is necessary to determine whether HTLV-I infection should be measured when anti-TNF agents are administered to patients with RA, especially in areas were HTLV-I is endemic.