Authors
Kedar R Mahajan, Frank Bittner, Mary Alissa Willis, Carlos Isada, Robert Bermel, Robert J Fox, Jonathan Lee, Amy Kunchok
Published in
Multiple sclerosis journal - experimental, translational and clinical. Volume 12. Issue 3. Pages 20552173261471722. Epub Jul 28, 2026.
Abstract
B-cell depleting therapies are used for MS, autoimmune disorders, renal disease and hematological malignancies but increase infection susceptibility.
To describe two cases of enterovirus meningoencephalitis in patients receiving B-cell depleting therapy and review anti-CD20-associated cases, detailing diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.
We present two cases, one with MS and one with minimal change disease, and review 40 additional anti-CD20 cases. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, neuroimaging, treatment, and outcomes were abstracted. Neuro-QoL measures were analyzed.
Our cases were diagnosed by CSF multiplex PCR and treated with IVIg; one also received methylprednisolone and pocapavir. Persistent sequelae included dysarthria, cognitive impairment, nystagmus, pain, and reduced Neuro-QoL scores. Of 42 cases, 34 were associated with rituximab and eight with ocrelizumab. CSF PCR or molecular testing detected enterovirus in 39 cases; three required alternative specimens/sites. IVIg or subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) was used in 36 cases, steroids in seven, fluoxetine in six, pocapavir in two, pleconaril in two, and ribavirin/favipiravir in one. Outcomes included recovery in 11, sequelae in 19, and death in 12.
Enterovirus infection in B-cell depleted patients may cause severe CNS involvement. CSF PCR aids diagnosis, though alternative specimens may be required. Early IVIg and investigational antivirals may be considered.
PMID:
42534188
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 31 Jul 2026.
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