Alemtuzumab-associated diffuse alveolar damage – a case report

Background Identifying causes of alemtuzumab induced respiratory symptoms in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients is crucial. Case presentation We report a case of diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) in a patient with MS after the first course of alemtuzumab treatment. A 42-year-old female developed progressi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMC neurology 2020-09, Vol.20 (1), p.1-357, Article 357
Main Authors: Bayas, Antonios, Menacher, Martina, Schwaiblmair, Martin, Märkl, Bruno, Naumann, Markus
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alemtuzumab
Alveoli
Antibodies
Biopsy
Care and treatment
Case Report
Case reports
Cough
Diagnosis
Diffuse alveolar damage
Dyspnea
Fingolimod
Hemorrhage
Infections
Lung diseases
Lungs
Magnetic resonance imaging
Membranes
Monoclonal antibodies
Mortality
Multiple sclerosis
Patients
Respiration
Respiratory distress syndrome
Thyroid gland
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Summary:Background Identifying causes of alemtuzumab induced respiratory symptoms in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients is crucial. Case presentation We report a case of diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) in a patient with MS after the first course of alemtuzumab treatment. A 42-year-old female developed progressive non-productive cough and exertional dyspnea 2 months after alemtuzumab treatment. DAD was diagnosed histopathologically by lung biopsy. The patient recovered completely, alemtuzumab was not continued. Conclusions Our case highlights another pathomechanism for non-infective lung-disorders in alemtuzumab treated MS patients. DAD is a potential, albeit rare side effect of alemtuzumab, broadening the spectrum of non-infective lung disorders that should be considered in the diagnostic work-up. Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, Alemtuzumab, Diffuse alveolar damage, Case report
ISSN:1471-2377
1471-2377
DOI:10.1186/s12883-020-01934-7