A possible case of serum sickness after ocrelizumab infusion. (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moreira Ferreira, Vanessa F; Kimbrough, Dorlan J; Stankiewicz, James M
• Is Part Of: Multiple sclerosis. Volume 27:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 155
• Page End: 158
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: Multiple sclerosis -- serum sickness -- ocrelizumab; Central nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Myelin sheath -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple sclerosis -- Periodicals; Central Nervous System Diseases -- Periodicals; Demyelinating Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple Sclerosis -- Periodicals; Système nerveux central -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Gaine de myéline -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Inflammation (Pathologie) -- Périodiques; Sclérose en plaques -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.834005
• DOI: 10.1177/1352458520910486
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-4585

Abstract

A 41-year-old female diagnosed with multiple sclerosis began ocrelizumab treatment. She received her first treatment course without significant complication. After receiving the first maintenance dose 6 months later, she developed weakness, myalgias, gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, and intermittent fever persisting for 4 weeks. A working diagnosis of serum sickness was determined after excluding other probable entities. She received 3 days of 1 g methylprednisolone intravenously and five plasma exchanges, experiencing gradual improvement. Serum sickness has occurred with monoclonal antibodies including rituximab. This case of possible ocrelizumab-associated serum sickness suggests that clinicians should remain vigilant about this possibility with this medication.