Late-onset neutropenia after RITUXIMAB therapy for multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders and...

Few cases of late onset neutropenia after RITUXIMAB treatment (LONART) have been reported in patients with neuroinflammatory disorders. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients treated with RITUXIMAB for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD), MOG-antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) and multiple sclerosis (MS) at the Toulouse University Hospital from November 2007 to October 2019. Ten patients with LONART were identified in a total of 385 patients: 4/25 were MOGAD patients, 2/20 were NMOSD patients and only 4/340 were MS patients (p < 0,05). Six required intravenous antibiotics whereas four were asymptomatic. Eight patients received new infusions of RITUXIMAB after resolution of their neutropenia. Neutropenia recurred in one patient.