Expanding spectrum of opportunistic infections associated with dimethyl fumarate. (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Tiffany; Croteau, David; Brinker, Allen; Jones, David E; Lee, Paul R; Kortepeter, Cindy M
• Is Part Of: Multiple sclerosis. Volume 27:Number 8(2021)
• Page Start: 1301
• Page End: 1305
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: Multiple sclerosis -- dimethyl fumarate -- immunology; 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: 10.1177/1352458520977132
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-4585

Abstract

Background: Only progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is currently described in the dimethyl fumarate (DMF) prescribing information. Objectives: To describe opportunistic infections (OIs), other than PML, reported in association with DMF. Methods: The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) and medical literature were searched. Results: We retrieved 34 cases of serious OIs with a causal association with DMF, including 11 central nervous system (CNS) infections and 23 extra-CNS infections. Six OIs occurred with normal circulating absolute lymphocyte counts. The median latency from DMF initiation was 13 months and was variable. Conclusion: DMF is associated with the development of OIs that require invasive diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures. Patients should be monitored for OIs when treated with DMF regardless of circulating absolute lymphocyte counts.