DOI: 10.1111/imj.70610 ISSN: 1444-0903
Australian consensus recommendations for the management of increased meningococcal infection risk in adults with neurological diseases treated with complement inhibitors
Katherine A. Buzzard, Michael Barnett, Heidi Beadnall, Mirasol Forcadela, Lesley‐Ann Hall, Victoria G. Hall, Todd Hardy, Danny Hsu, Paul Kinsella, Mastura Monif, Sudarshini Ramanathan, Stephen W. Reddel, Sean Riminton, Douglas F. JohnsonAbstract
Complement inhibitor therapy carries a risk of serious infections, including meningococcal disease. Here we provide evidence‐based recommendations and expert consensus for immunisation and prophylactic treatment of patients receiving, or planning to receive, complement inhibitors for neurological conditions in the Australian setting. The primary aim of these consensus recommendations is to minimise the risk of vaccine‐preventable infections and to outline alternative infection‐prevention strategies where vaccination is problematic. We address disease‐specific risks and propose timing considerations, including a pragmatic approach to clinical implementation.