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Published in: Neurological Sciences 3/2022

01-03-2022 | Multiple Sclerosis | Letter to the Editor

HSV encephalitis associated with off-label rituximab treatment of multiple sclerosis

Authors: Federico Montini, Bruno Colombo, Antonino Giordano, Ingazio Diego Lopez, Lucia Moiola, Vittorio Martinelli, Massimo Filippi

Published in: Neurological Sciences | Issue 3/2022

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Excerpt

B cell-depleting therapies are considered highly effective in the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis. However they can cause immune system dysfunction, leading to increased risk of infection [1]. Apart from humoral immunity, B cells act as antigen-presenting cells and provoke T-Helper cell alterations. Ambulatory disability, prior immunosuppression, lymphopenia, and hypogammaglobulinemia are the most important risk factors for developing serious infection [13], but even among normoglobulinemic patients treated with rituximab therapy, viral encephalitis should be considered when new neurological symptoms appear. A comprehensive long-lasting monitoring for infectious complications must be continuously performed [4]. …
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Metadata
Title
HSV encephalitis associated with off-label rituximab treatment of multiple sclerosis
Authors
Federico Montini
Bruno Colombo
Antonino Giordano
Ingazio Diego Lopez
Lucia Moiola
Vittorio Martinelli
Massimo Filippi
Publication date
01-03-2022
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Neurological Sciences / Issue 3/2022
Print ISSN: 1590-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1590-3478
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-021-05803-0

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