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Visualizing Impairment of the Endothelial and Glial Barriers of the Neurovascular Unit during Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis In Vivo
Published on: March 26, 2019
Enterovirus 71 meningoencephalitis complicating rituximab therapy
Rebekah Ahmed1, Michael Buckland, Leo Davies
1Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|March 30, 2011
Summary
A fatal case of enterovirus 71 meningoencephalitis occurred during anti-CD20 therapy for lymphoma. B-cell depletion may hinder the body's ability to clear this neurotropic virus.
Area of Science:
- Neurovirology
- Immunology
- Hematology
Background:
- Monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody therapy is used for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and other conditions.
- This therapy leads to B-cell depletion, impacting humoral immunity.
- Enterovirus 71 is a neurotropic virus with potential for severe neurological disease.
Observation:
- A fatal case of enterovirus 71 meningoencephalitis is presented.
- The patient was undergoing treatment with monoclonal anti-CD20 antibodies for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
- This highlights a potential complication of B-cell depleting therapies.
Findings:
- B-cell depletion impairs the production of neutralizing antibodies.
- This impairment may reduce the clearance of enteroviruses, including enterovirus 71.
- The study links B-cell depletion to increased susceptibility to enterovirus infections.
Implications:
- This case underscores the risk of severe enterovirus infections in immunocompromised patients.
- Physicians should be aware of the potential for neurotropic viral infections during B-cell depletion therapy.
- The findings suggest a need for enhanced monitoring or prophylactic strategies in susceptible individuals.
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