Rituximab induced pulmonary fibrosis in a patient with lupus nephritis

Lupus. 2012 Sep;21(10):1131-4. doi: 10.1177/0961203312444892. Epub 2012 Apr 11.

Abstract

We describe a 26-year-old woman who was diagnosed eleven years ago with systemic lupus erythematosus and who had suffered multiple relapses. She presented with class IV lupus nephritis with thrombotic microangiopathy, for which she received three doses of rituximab along with plasmapheresis, with no response, and soon became dialysis dependent. One month after the last dose of rituximab, she presented with dyspnoea and hypoxia. A transbronchial lung biopsy revealed pulmonary fibrosis. A diagnosis of rituximab induced pulmonary fibrosis was made after excluding other causes and she was treated with intravenous methyl prednisolone with which there was marked improvement in symptoms and hypoxemia. This is the first report of rituximab induced pulmonary fibrosis in a patient with lupus nephritis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / therapy
  • Lupus Nephritis / therapy*
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / diagnosis
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / drug therapy
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / etiology*
  • Rituximab

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Rituximab
  • Methylprednisolone