Engraftment syndrome: a common cause for rash and fever following autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for multiple sclerosis.
Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is currently being evaluated as a therapy for patients with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) at risk of debilitating neurological impairment. While preliminary results from a few studies have been reported, little is known about toxicities or outcome of HSCT for MS. We report a relatively frequent triad of non-infectious fever, rash and fatigue or lassitude that may also be associated with pruritus, pulmonary symptoms, and eosinophilia and frequently occurs around engraftment. This syndrome occurred in 26% of our series of patients (5/19) undergoing HSCT for multiple sclerosis. The engraftment syndrome is usually self-limited but may require intervention with systemic corticosteroids.
Oyama
Y
Y
Division of Immune Therapy and Autoimmune Disease, Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Cohen
B
B
Traynor
A
A
Brush
M
M
Rodriguez
J
J
Burt
R K
RK
D000328:Adult; D005076:Exanthema / Q000209:etiology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D006085:Graft Survival; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013577:Syndrome; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous / Q000009:adverse effects*