Prolonged and severe SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients under B-cell-depleting drug successfully treated: A tailored approach

Alessandra D'Abramo; Serena Vita; Gaetano Maffongelli; Andrea Mariano; Chiara Agrati; Concetta Castilletti; Delia Goletti; Giuseppe Ippolito; Emanuele Nicastri; Spallanzani COVID-19 Case Investigation Team

doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2021.04.068

Prolonged and severe SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients under B-cell-depleting drug successfully treated: A tailored approach

Int J Infect Dis. 2021 Jun:107:247-250. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.04.068. Epub 2021 Apr 24.

Affiliations

¹ National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' IRCCS, via Portuense 292, 00149, Rome, Italy.
² National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' IRCCS, via Portuense 292, 00149, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: gaetano.maffongelli@inmi.it.

Abstract

Prolonged B-cell depletion due to anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (mAbs) therapy impairs the adaptive immune response, causing severe manifestations during COronaVIrus Disease-2019 (COVID-19). The cases of two patients under anti-CD20 therapy who experienced prolonged and severe COVID-19 successfully treated with mAbs against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-CoV-2 spike proteins are reported.

Keywords: Anti-CD20 therapy; B-cell depletion; Prolonged infection; SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
Antigens, CD20 / immunology
B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
COVID-19 / complications*
COVID-19 Drug Treatment
Female
Humans
Lymphocyte Depletion / adverse effects*
Male
Middle Aged
SARS-CoV-2*
Severity of Illness Index

Substances

Antibodies, Monoclonal
Antigens, CD20