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Pneumocystis pneumonia in a patient treated with alemtuzumab for relapsing multiple sclerosis

Alexander Y Lau1, Grace C Y Lui2, Ka-Pang Chan1

  • 1Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.

Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders
|November 20, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is a risk with alemtuzumab. A multiple sclerosis patient developed PJP after Lemtrada, highlighting the need for vigilance and potential prophylaxis during treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Alemtuzumab (Lemtrada) is used for multiple sclerosis.
  • Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is a known risk in patients treated with alemtuzumab for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
  • No PJP prophylaxis recommendations exist for Lemtrada in multiple sclerosis.

Observation:

  • A patient treated with Lemtrada for multiple sclerosis developed PJP.
  • The PJP occurred two months after the first Lemtrada course.
  • The patient fully recovered after cotrimoxazole treatment.

Findings:

  • This case suggests a potential risk of PJP with Lemtrada use in multiple sclerosis.
  • Opportunistic infections, including PJP, should be considered in patients on Lemtrada who develop pneumonitis.

Implications:

  • Vigilance for opportunistic infections is crucial in patients receiving Lemtrada.
  • The need for PJP prophylaxis during Lemtrada treatment warrants further evaluation.
Keywords:
AlemtuzumabMultiple sclerosisPneumocystis jiroveciiPneumocystis pneumoniaProphylaxis

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