Rituximab therapy for life-threatining immune hemolytic anemia in a liver tranplant recipient: a case report.
Rituximab an anti-CD20 chimeric monoclonal antibody directed against the CD20 antigen on B lymphocytes, has been demonstrated to be highly effective for B-cell depletion. Because of its biological properties, it has become as a treatment option for a variety of autoimmune diseases. We report successful treatment of a 25-year-old male cadaveric liver retransplant recipient who displayed severe immune hemolytic anemia with rituximab, despite no previous response to corticosteroids plus intravenous immune globulin therapy.
Akyildiz
M
M
Ege University Medical Faculty, Izmir, Turkey. akyildizmr@yahoo.com
Karasu
Z
Z
Cagirgan
S
S
Kilic
M
M
Tokat
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D000743:Anemia, Hemolytic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D015209:Cholangitis, Sclerosing / Q000601:surgery; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D019520:Living Donors; D008297:Male; D012086:Reoperation; D000069283:Rituximab; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000069283:Rituximab