Long COVID in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Treated with Rituximab: A Report of Two Cases

COVID-19 symptoms may persist for more than 12 weeks in some infected patients, a condition described as long COVID-19 in these cases. These patients have symptoms attributed to impairment of multiple organs. Scientists have discovered the lengthy COVID-19 etiology, risk factors, and treatments. It has been observed that immunosuppression may prolong COVID-19 symptoms. Patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) are generally treated with disease-modifying treatments, which suppress the immune system and predispose patients to infections like COVID-19. Also, these drugs may increase not only the morbidity and mortality of infection but also the risk of developing long COVID-19 in these patients. We have described two cases of multiple sclerosis patients who were diagnosed with long COVID-19. Both patients were under treatment with rituximab, so we discussed treatment choices and strategies for pwMS patients under rituximab who had symptoms of long COVID. Our data would further add to the information on managing long COVID-19 in pwMS under treatment with rituximab.