Ophthalmology Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Ophthalmology, including details on eye surgery, myopia, cataracts.

Relapses after treatment with rituximab in a patient with multiple sclerosis and anti myelin-associated glycoprotein polyneuropathy.

Benedetti L, Franciotta D, Vigo T, Grandis M, Fiorina E, Ghiglione E, Roccatagliata L, Mancardi GL, Uccelli A, Schenone A

Department of Neurosciences, Ophthalmology, and Genetics, University of Genova, Via De Toni 5, 16132 Genova, Italy. luanabenedetti@libero.it

OBJECTIVE: To describe the unique case of a patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) and anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) polyneuropathy who developed MS relapses after treatment with rituximab. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Department of Neurosciences, Ophthalmology, and Genetics, University of Genova, Genova, Italy. Patient A 59-year-old man with an 18-year history of MS presented with an unusually rapid progression of paraparesis with hypopallesthesia and areflexia in 4 limbs. Neurophysiological and serological studies led to the diagnosis of anti-MAG polyneuropathy. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis disclosed the loss of oligoclonal IgG bands that were previously detected at MS onset. Intervention Rituximab was administered at a dosage of 375 mg/m(2)/wk for 4 weeks. Result The patient developed 2 corticosteroid-responsive MS relapses with improvement of the polyneuropathy. CONCLUSION: Rituximab can be effective in anti-MAG polyneuropathy but can possibly lead to unexpected consequences in individuals with MS.

Published 9 October 2007 in Arch Neurol, 64(10): 1531-3.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2005-2008 Ophthalmology Research Today. All Rights Reserved.