Persisting SARS-CoV-2 viraemia after rituximab therapy: two cases with fatal outcome and a review of the literature

Br J Haematol. 2020 Jul;190(2):185-188. doi: 10.1111/bjh.16896. Epub 2020 Jun 22.

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause severe pneumonia (COVID-19). There is evidence that patients with comorbidities are at higher risk of a severe disease course. The role of immunosuppression in the disease course is not clear. In the present report, we first describe two cases of persisting SARS-CoV-2 viraemia with fatal outcome in patients after rituximab therapy.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; pneumonia; rituximab; viraemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • B-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / complications
  • Coronavirus Infections / pathology*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / complications
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell / complications
  • Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / complications
  • Pneumonia, Viral / pathology*
  • Rituximab / administration & dosage*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Viremia / diagnosis*

Substances

  • Rituximab