Hepatic microabscesses during CMV reactivation in a multiple sclerosis patient after alemtuzumab treatment

Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2018 Feb:20:6-8. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2017.12.009. Epub 2017 Dec 18.

Abstract

The anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody alemtuzumab is a highly active treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) causing rapid depletion of B and T lymphocytes with nadir one month after last infusion. Opportunistic Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections have been reported in MS patients treated with this drug. We report one patient who developed a CMV reactivation with hepatic involvement three weeks after the first cycle of alemtuzumab. This patient, promptly diagnosed and treated, achieved a complete recovery with valganciclovir. The possibility of this treatable opportunistic infection should be considered by neurologists in febrile patients with hepatic markers alteration after treatment with alemtuzumab.

Keywords: Alemtuzumab; CMV reactivation; Cytomegalovirus; Hepatic microabscesses; Multiple sclerosis; Opportunistic CMV infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Alemtuzumab / adverse effects*
  • Alemtuzumab / therapeutic use
  • Cytomegalovirus
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / complications*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / immunology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Liver Abscess / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver Abscess / drug therapy
  • Liver Abscess / etiology*
  • Liver Abscess / immunology
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / complications
  • Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Alemtuzumab