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Aryanian Z, Balighi K, Sajad B, Esmaeli N, Daneshpazhooh M, Mazloumi Tootoonchi N, Beigmohammadi F, Mohseni Afshar Z, Hatami P. COVID outcome in pemphigus: Does rituximab make pemphigus patients susceptible to more severe COVID-19? J Cosmet Dermatol 2023; 22:2880-2888. [PMID: 37573477 DOI: 10.1111/jocd.15958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has raised some concerns regarding the management of chronic skin diseases, especially in patients on immunosuppressive therapy including patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV). Literature review reveals conflicting results about the effect of monoclonal antibodies such as rituximab on clinical outcome of COVID-19. OBJECTIVES To assess the reciprocal interaction of COVID-19 and pemphigus and the effect of rituximab on prognosis of COVID-19 in patients. METHODS We set up a retrospective study on adult patients with a confirmed diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris and a history of COVID-19 with or without symptoms during 2020. RESULTS Thirty-six adults with pemphigus vulgaris and SARS-CoV-2 infection were included. The SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed with positive RT-PCR test results in 31 cases (86.1%) and suspected in the 5 others (13.9%). Gender, total dose of rituximab, number of rituximab cycles, and involvement of head and neck were not associated to duration of COVID-19 symptoms (p values: 0.32, 0.23, 0.84, and 0.51, respectively), severity of disease (hospitalization) (p values: 0.46, 0.39, 0.23, and 0.72, respectively), or the percentage of lung involvement on CT scan (p values: 0.07, 0.36, 0.38, and 0.09, respectively). Regarding the impact of COVID-19 on pemphigus, the majority of patients did not experience any changes in their pemphigus regarding clinical phenotype (100%) or severity (83.3%), but PV was worsened in 6 (16.9%) patients which was controlled with increasing the prednisolone dosage. CONCLUSION Rituximab appears to be safe with no increased risk of severe form of COVID-19 in patients with pemphigus vulgaris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Aryanian
- Autoimmune Bullous Diseases Research Center, Razi hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Dermatology, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Kamran Balighi
- Autoimmune Bullous Diseases Research Center, Razi hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Razi Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Baseerat Sajad
- Autoimmune Bullous Diseases Research Center, Razi hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nafiseh Esmaeli
- Autoimmune Bullous Diseases Research Center, Razi hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Razi Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Daneshpazhooh
- Autoimmune Bullous Diseases Research Center, Razi hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Razi Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nasim Mazloumi Tootoonchi
- Autoimmune Bullous Diseases Research Center, Razi hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Razi Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fereshteh Beigmohammadi
- Autoimmune Bullous Diseases Research Center, Razi hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zeinab Mohseni Afshar
- Clinical Research Development Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Parvaneh Hatami
- Autoimmune Bullous Diseases Research Center, Razi hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Fenizia C, Moltrasio C, Ottobrini L, Utyro O, Genovese G, Vanetti C, Trabattoni D, Marzano AV. SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Effectiveness in Rituximab-Treated Patients Affected by Pemphigus Vulgaris. J Invest Dermatol 2023:S0022-202X(23)00029-5. [PMID: 36716924 PMCID: PMC9883068 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Fenizia
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
| | - Chiara Moltrasio
- Dermatology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy,Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Luisa Ottobrini
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Olga Utyro
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Genovese
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy,Dermatology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Vanetti
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Daria Trabattoni
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo V. Marzano
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy,Dermatology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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3
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Ptasiewicz M, Bębnowska D, Małkowska P, Sierawska O, Poniewierska-Baran A, Hrynkiewicz R, Niedźwiedzka-Rystwej P, Grywalska E, Chałas R. Immunoglobulin Disorders and the Oral Cavity: A Narrative Review. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11164873. [PMID: 36013115 PMCID: PMC9409910 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11164873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The oral mucosa is a mechanical barrier against the penetration and colonization of microorganisms. Oral homeostasis is maintained by congenital and adaptive systems in conjunction with normal oral flora and an intact oral mucosa. Components contributing to the defense of the oral cavity include the salivary glands, innate antimicrobial proteins of saliva, plasma proteins, circulating white blood cells, keratinocyte products of the oral mucosa, and gingival crevicular fluid. General disturbances in the level of immunoglobulins in the human body may be manifested as pathological lesions in the oral mucosa. Symptoms of immunoglobulin-related general diseases such as mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP), pemphigus vulgaris (PV), linear IgA bullous dermatosis (LABD), Epidermolysis Bullosa Aquisita (EBA), and Hyper-IgE syndrome (HIES) may appear in the oral cavity. In this review, authors present selected diseases associated with immunoglobulins in which the lesions appear in the oral cavity. Early detection and treatment of autoimmune diseases, sometimes showing a severe evolution (e.g., PV), allow the control of their dissemination and involvement of skin or other body organs. Immunoglobulin disorders with oral manifestations are not common, but knowledge, differentiation and diagnosis are essential for proper treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Ptasiewicz
- Department of Oral Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | | | - Paulina Małkowska
- Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland
- Doctoral School, University of Szczecin, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Olga Sierawska
- Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland
- Doctoral School, University of Szczecin, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland
| | | | - Rafał Hrynkiewicz
- Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland
| | | | - Ewelina Grywalska
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Renata Chałas
- Department of Oral Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
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Pemphigus during the COVID-19 Epidemic: Infection Risk, Vaccine Responses and Management Strategies. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11143968. [PMID: 35887732 PMCID: PMC9317200 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11143968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Pemphigus is a rare autoimmune blistering disease, involving potentially life-threatening conditions often requiring immunosuppression. Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory disease coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has become a global public emergency. Vaccines are the most effective defense against COVID-19 infection. However, in clinic, there are cases of new onset or flare of pemphigus following COVID-19 vaccination, where vaccines have manifested significantly desirable risk-benefit profiles for patients. Although Rituximab, as first-line therapy, may impair humoral immunity, pemphigus may not predispose to develop COVID-19 infection compared to a healthy population. Conversely, delay or interruption of immunosuppressants probably results in unfavorable clinical outcomes for disease progression. Overall, clinicians should encourage their patients to undergo the vaccination after a comprehensive assessment. The definite association between COVID-19 vaccination and pemphigus remains to be further elucidated. Herein, we provide an overview of the published studies to date on COVID-19 and pemphigus as well as the exploration of their complicated interplay. In addition, we discuss the management strategies for pemphigus patients in this special period, in an effort to more effectively establish a standard treatment paradigm for this particular patient group.
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Krishnasamy S, Mantan M, Mishra K, Kapoor K, Brijwal M, Kumar M, Sharma S, Swarnim S, Gaind R, Khandelwal P, Hari P, Sinha A, Bagga A. SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with chronic kidney disease. Pediatr Nephrol 2022; 37:849-857. [PMID: 34519896 PMCID: PMC8438908 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-021-05218-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Information on the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is limited. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the presentation and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with CKD followed at any of the four pediatric nephrology centers in New Delhi from April 2020 to June 2021. Outcomes, including cardiopulmonary and renal complications, were reported in relation to underlying disease category and illness severity at presentation. RESULTS Underlying illness in 88 patients included nephrotic syndrome (50%), other CKD stages 1-4 (18.2%), CKD 5D (17%), and CKD 5T (14.8%). Thirty-two of 61 patients with symptomatic COVID-19 and 9/27 asymptomatic patients were admitted for median 10 (interquartile range 7-15) days. Seventeen (19.3%) patients developed moderate or severe COVID-19. Systemic complications, observed in 30 (34.1%), included acute kidney injury (AKI, 34.2%), COVID-19 pneumonia (15.9%), unrelated pulmonary disease (2.3%), and shock (4.5%). Nineteen (21.6%) had severe complications (AKI stage 2-3, encephalopathy, respiratory failure, shock). Eight (11%) of twelve (16.4%) patients with severe AKI required dialysis. Three (3.4%) patients, two with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome in relapse and one with CKD 1-4, died due to respiratory failure. Univariate logistic regression indicated that patients presenting with nephrotic syndrome in relapse or moderate to severe COVID-19 were at risk of AKI (respective odds ratio, 95%CI: 3.62, 1.01-12.99; 4.58, 1.06-19.86) and/or severe complications (respective odds ratio, 95%CI: 5.92, 1.99-17.66; 61.2, 6.99-536.01). CONCLUSIONS Children with CKD presenting with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 or in nephrotic syndrome relapse are at risk of severe complications, including severe AKI and mortality. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudarsan Krishnasamy
- grid.413618.90000 0004 1767 6103Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029 India
| | - Mukta Mantan
- grid.414698.60000 0004 1767 743XDepartment of Pediatrics, Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Kirtisudha Mishra
- grid.505954.80000 0004 1801 5067Department of Pediatrics, Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya, Delhi, India
| | - Kanika Kapoor
- grid.416888.b0000 0004 1803 7549Department of Pediatrics, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospitals, New Delhi, India
| | - Megha Brijwal
- grid.413618.90000 0004 1767 6103Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Manish Kumar
- grid.505954.80000 0004 1801 5067Department of Pediatrics, Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya, Delhi, India
| | - Shobha Sharma
- grid.416888.b0000 0004 1803 7549Department of Pediatrics, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospitals, New Delhi, India
| | - Swarnim Swarnim
- grid.414698.60000 0004 1767 743XDepartment of Pediatrics, Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Rajni Gaind
- grid.416888.b0000 0004 1803 7549Department of Microbiology, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospitals, New Delhi, India
| | - Priyanka Khandelwal
- grid.413618.90000 0004 1767 6103Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029 India
| | - Pankaj Hari
- grid.413618.90000 0004 1767 6103Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029 India
| | - Aditi Sinha
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India.
| | - Arvind Bagga
- grid.413618.90000 0004 1767 6103Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029 India
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Marinović B, Miše J, Jukić IL, Bukvić Mokos Z. Pemphigus-The Crux of Clinics, Research, and Treatment during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1555. [PMID: 34829784 PMCID: PMC8615103 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9111555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pemphigus is a rare autoimmune disease characterised by the production of pathogenic autoantibodies in response to different desmosome proteins. The pathophysiological process leads to the development of blisters and erosions on mucosal and/or skin surfaces. The classical clinical variants of pemphigus are pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus. A diagnostic delay is very common in pemphigus, especially among patients with mucosal involvement. However, in recent years we have witnessed considerably fewer patients with extensive mucocutaneous manifestations, since patients with oral lesions are referred to dermatologists to start the treatment much sooner than they had been previously. Among non-classical variants of pemphigus, unusual cases with discrepancies between autoantibody profiles and clinics challenge the "desmoglein compensation theory". The identification of several other autoantigens that perform a role in the pathogenesis of different variants of pemphigus will progress immunodermatology towards an approach that will determine personalized pemphigus subtypes for each patient. Comorbidities among patients are primarily associated with the prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive agents. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic raised concerns regarding the immunosuppressive effects of treatment and the risk of a more complicated COVID-19 infection, as well as on the ability to develop an adequate vaccine response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Branka Marinović
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, School of Medicine University of Zagreb, Šalata 4, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (B.M.); (I.L.J.)
| | - Joško Miše
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, European Reference Network (ERN)-Skin Reference Centre, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Ines Lakoš Jukić
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, School of Medicine University of Zagreb, Šalata 4, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (B.M.); (I.L.J.)
| | - Zrinka Bukvić Mokos
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, School of Medicine University of Zagreb, Šalata 4, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (B.M.); (I.L.J.)
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Abstract
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, attention has gradually moved from the respiratory manifestations of the disease toward its dermatologic aspects. The need for wearing personal protective measures and their cutaneous side effects, detection of related or specific COVID-19 skin eruptions, and the evaluation of certain risk groups of immunosuppressed dermatologic patients have initiated significant discussions about various therapeutic interventions and, in particular, about biologic therapy for psoriasis and for autoinflammatory, orphan, or malignant cutaneous disorders. Autoimmune bullous dermatoses have been of concern due to their chronic course, at times life-threatening prognosis, and the need for prolonged and often aggressive immunomodulatory therapy. We have summarized the current knowledge regarding the impact of COVID-19 infection on autoimmune bullous dermatoses, including recommendations for the main treatment strategies, available patient information, and the registries organized for documentation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kossara Drenovska
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University Hospital "Alexandrovska," Medical University-Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria.
| | - Snejina Vassileva
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University Hospital "Alexandrovska," Medical University-Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Ivan Tanev
- ZRENIE Private Eye Clinic, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Pascal Joly
- Department of Dermatology, Rouen University Hospital and INSERM U905, Centre de référence des maladies bulleuses autoimmunes, Normandie University, Rouen, France
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Łącki S, Wyżgolik K, Nicze M, Georgiew-Nadziakiewicz S, Chudek J, Wdowiak K. Low symptomatic COVID-19 in an elderly patient with follicular lymphoma treated with rituximab-based immunotherapy: A case report. World J Clin Cases 2021; 9:4859-4865. [PMID: 34222459 PMCID: PMC8223830 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i18.4859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Follicular lymphoma is an indolent lymphoma that may progress to a highly aggressive form requiring immunochemotherapy. Most regimens utilize rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, which may affect the clinical course of novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections [coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)]. Here we describe the first case of mild COVID-19 during ongoing oncological treatment without significant deterioration after rituximab administration.
CASE SUMMARY A 74-year-old female with an enlargement of her right palatine tonsil was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma following tonsillectomy and started immunochemotherapy according to the rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone regimen. At home before the fourth cycle, she developed nonspecific symptoms (excessive fatigue, loss of appetite and nausea), misdiagnosed as adverse effects of chemotherapy. Unexpectedly, interim positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan, performed shortly before rituximab administration, revealed previously nonexistent pulmonary changes, potentially of infectious etiology. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed by a nasopharyngeal swab (with reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction test) performed the following day. Despite rituximab infusion, the patient remained oligosymptomatic and was discharged home for self-isolation. Having reached a negative SARS-CoV-2 status before the subsequently scheduled regimen, the patient successfully received six cycles of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone and obtained complete remission by positron emission tomography-computed tomography.
CONCLUSION Our case shows that rituximab-based immunotherapy due to follicular lymphoma may have no evident negative effect on the COVID-19 clinical course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanisław Łącki
- Department of Internal Diseases and Oncological Chemotherapy, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice 40-027, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland
| | - Kinga Wyżgolik
- Department of Internal Diseases and Oncological Chemotherapy, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice 40-027, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland
| | - Michał Nicze
- Department of Internal Diseases and Oncological Chemotherapy, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice 40-027, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland
| | | | - Jerzy Chudek
- Department of Internal Diseases and Oncological Chemotherapy, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice 40-027, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland
| | - Kamil Wdowiak
- Department of Internal Diseases and Oncological Chemotherapy, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice 40-027, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland
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Uzuncakmak TK, Özkoca D, Askin O, Kutlubay Z. Can rituximab be used in the treatment of pemphigus vulgaris during the COVID-19 pandemic? Dermatol Ther 2020; 34:e14647. [PMID: 33296557 PMCID: PMC7883057 DOI: 10.1111/dth.14647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody that targets CD20, a B‐lymphocyte antigen; that leads to a decline in the B‐cell counts for at least a year. The patients who have received rituximab treatment in the previous 5 years with the diagnosis of pemphigus group of diseases at Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty were questioned for COVID‐19 infection. A total of 48 patients were included in this study; only one male patient had COVID‐19 infection which had a mild course. There is no significant difference in the total number of lymphocytes between patients who have received rituximab within the previous 5 years or last year. The number of lymphocytes is independent of the number of courses of rituximab treatment received. Therefore, we suggest that all pemphigus patients who have received rituximab treatment within the previous 5 years should be careful of the preventive measures against the COVID‐19 infection irrespective of the number of treatment courses or the number of years which has passed since the treatment. The disease course was mild in the only infected patient. Thus, rituximab may be used in the treatment of pemphigus vulgaris during the COVID‐19 pandemic if its use is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tugba Kevser Uzuncakmak
- Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Department of Dermatology, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Defne Özkoca
- Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Department of Dermatology, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ozge Askin
- Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Department of Dermatology, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Zekayi Kutlubay
- Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Department of Dermatology, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
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