Seizures and cerebritis associated with administration of OKT3

P M Capone1, M E Cohen

  • 1Department of Neurology, State University of New York, Buffalo.

Pediatric Neurology
|July 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

OKT3 therapy, used for renal transplant rejection, can cause aseptic meningitis. This case report details new findings of cerebritis and seizures associated with OKT3 treatment in a transplant patient.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Immunology
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Renal transplantation rejection is a significant clinical challenge.
  • OKT3 therapy, a monoclonal antibody targeting T-cells, is used to prevent rejection.
  • Aseptic meningitis is a known side effect of OKT3 therapy.

Observation:

  • A patient undergoing treatment for renal transplantation rejection was initiated on OKT3 therapy.
  • The patient subsequently developed lateralizing seizures.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the presence of cerebritis.

Findings:

  • Cerebritis and lateralizing seizures were observed in a renal transplant patient receiving OKT3 therapy.
  • These neurological findings were directly associated with the initiation of OKT3 treatment.
  • This represents the first documented instance of cerebritis and seizures linked to OKT3 therapy.

Implications:

  • The findings expand the known spectrum of adverse neurological events associated with OKT3 therapy.
  • Clinicians should be vigilant for neurological symptoms, including seizures and cerebritis, in patients receiving OKT3.
  • Further research may be warranted to understand the mechanism of OKT3-induced cerebritis and seizures.

Related Concept Videos

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview01:24

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease marked by recurrent, unpredictable seizures. These seizures are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, leading to behavior, sensation, or consciousness alterations. They can also cause transient impairment of awareness, interfering with daily activities.
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
Seizures: Classification01:13

Seizures: Classification

Epilepsy is primarily characterized by unpredictable seizures, either provoked by an identifiable factor, such as injury or illness, or unprovoked, occurring spontaneously without apparent cause.
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators01:20

Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators

Ezocgabine or retigabine, an antiepileptic drug of remarkable efficacy, has revolutionized the management of seizures. It is a potassium channel activator, explicitly targeting the family of Q subtype potassium channels. It enhances the transmembrane potassium currents, regulating neuronal excitability. This action stabilizes the resting membrane potential, a pivotal factor in mitigating the hyperexcitability that characterizes epilepsy.
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
Electroconvulsive Therapy01:30

Electroconvulsive Therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or shock therapy, remains a critical biomedical intervention for severe, treatment-resistant depression. While its origins can be traced back to Hippocrates' observations that malaria-induced convulsions alleviated mental illness, modern ECT has evolved significantly from its earlier, more primitive applications. First introduced in 1938 by Ugo Cerletti and his colleagues, ECT involves inducing controlled seizures using electrical currents. In its early years,...
Seizures l: Introduction01:20

Seizures l: Introduction

Understanding seizures and epilepsy relies on key definitions that help in recognizing, classifying, and managing these disorders. These definitions provide a framework for recognizing, classifying, and managing seizure disorders.DefinitionsA seizure is a sudden, abnormal burst of electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in awareness, movement, sensation, or behavior, depending on the area involved. Epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures,...
Seizures ll: Types01:19

Seizures ll: Types

Seizures are sudden bursts of abnormal electrical discharge in the brain that interfere with normal function. They are commonly divided into three groups: focal seizures, generalized seizures, and other types that do not fit neatly into either category.Focal SeizuresFocal seizures begin in a single brain region. When awareness is preserved, they are called focal aware seizures and may cause sensations such as tingling, unusual smells, or flashing lights. When awareness is impaired, they are...