Rituximab and risk of COVID-19 infection and its severity in patients with MS and NMOSD

BMC Neurology

Mohammad Taghi Joghataei¹  Mohammad Hossein Abbasi²  Sara Esmaeili²  Mahisa Mokhtari³  Seyedeh Niloufar Rafiei Alavi³  Mehdi Moghaddasi³  Meysam Abolmaali³  Zahra Mirzaasgari³  Mohammad Reza Motamed³  Samaneh Tanhapour Khotbehsara³  Jaber Hatam⁴  Mohammad Mojtahed⁵  Sevim Soleimani⁶ 

[1] Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran university of medical sciences, Tehran, Iran;School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran;Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran university of medical sciences, Tehran, Iran;School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran;Department of Neurology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran;Department of Neurology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran;Department of Neurosurgery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran;School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran;Department of Neurology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran;School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti Medical University, Tehran, Iran;

关键词: COVID-19;    Disease modifying therapy;    Multiple sclerosis;    MS;    Neuromyelitis Optica;    NMO;    Rituximab;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12883-021-02218-4

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundChoosing a safe disease modifying therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic is challenging. This case series study was conducted to determine the incidence rate and the course of Covid-19 infection in MS/NMOSD patients treated with Rituximab.MethodsIn this study, we designed a web-based questionnaire. Baseline information such as patient- reported walking disability, total number of Rituximab infusions received, delayed injections, occurrence of any relapse, and the use of corticosteroids during the pandemic were collected. Also, information regarding the Covid-19 pandemic such as adherence to self-isolation, any recent exposure to an infected individual and the presence of suggestive symptoms were collected. In case of positive test results, patients were grouped into 2 categories; mild to moderate and seriously ill and outcomes were evaluated as favorable (improved/ discharged) and unfavorable (expired).ResultsTwo hundred fifty-eight patients with Multiple Sclerosis were enrolled in this study, 9 of the subjects (3.4%) were confirmed positive for Covid-19, five of which required hospitalizations (55.5%), two patients required ICU admission (22.2%) and 2 two patients died (22.2%). None of these patients ever mentioned using corticosteroids during the pandemic. In comparison to MS patients who were not receiving disease modifying therapy (DMT), our study indicated a higher incidence of Covid-19 infection, higher ratio of serious illness and a higher fatality ratio.ConclusionsRituximab seems not to be safe enough during the pandemic.

【 授权许可】

CC BY