Rhodococcus equi infection after alemtuzumab therapy for T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia.
Rhodococcus equi, mainly known from veterinary medicine as a pathogen in domestic animals, can also cause infections in immunocompromised humans, especially in those with defects in cellular immunity. Alemtuzumab, an anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody, causes lymphocytopenia by eliminating CD52-positive cells. We report a patient in whom Rhodococcus equi infection developed after alemtuzumab therapy.
Meeuse
Jan J
JJ
University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands. j.j.meeuse@int.umcg.nl
Sprenger
Herman G
HG
van Assen
Sander
S
Leduc
Dominique
D
Daenen
Simon M G J
SM
Arends
Jan P
JP
van der Werf
Tjip S
TS
D000193:Actinomycetales Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D000368:Aged; D000074323:Alemtuzumab; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D015461:Leukemia, Prolymphocytic, T-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008169:Lung Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D016929:Rhodococcus equi
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000074323:Alemtuzumab