Abstract
Background:
Rituximab is a widely used biologic agent, which has shown favourable results in the treatment of vasculitis. But immunosuppressive treatment also bears the risk of severe complications.
Methods:
A patient with rheumatoid arthritis, progressive scleromalacia, and acute retinal necrosis on therapy with rituximab is reported.
Results:
For the first time, a correlation between rituximab and acute retinal necrosis in a patient with progressive rheumatoid scleromalacia is shown.
Conclusions:
Although rituximab is a promising biologic agent for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, it bears the risk of reactivation of viral infections, including the onset of acute retinal necrosis.
Keywords:
Acute retinal necrosis; herpes simplex virus; necrotizing scleritis; ocular inflammation; rituximab.
MeSH terms
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Acyclovir / therapeutic use
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Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
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Aqueous Humor / virology
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
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Drug Therapy, Combination
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Eye Infections, Viral / diagnosis
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Eye Infections, Viral / drug therapy
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Eye Infections, Viral / etiology*
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Female
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Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
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Herpes Simplex / diagnosis
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Herpes Simplex / drug therapy
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Herpes Simplex / etiology*
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Herpesvirus 1, Human / isolation & purification
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Herpesvirus 1, Human / physiology
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Humans
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Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
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Middle Aged
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Prednisone / therapeutic use
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Retinal Necrosis Syndrome, Acute / diagnosis
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Retinal Necrosis Syndrome, Acute / drug therapy
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Retinal Necrosis Syndrome, Acute / etiology*
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Rituximab / adverse effects*
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Scleritis / drug therapy*
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Virus Activation / drug effects
Substances
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Antiviral Agents
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Glucocorticoids
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Immunosuppressive Agents
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Rituximab
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Prednisone
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Acyclovir