Macular oedema following rituximab infusion in two patients with Wegener's granulomatosis.
Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody now widely used to treat autoimmune diseases, has been reported to be effective against refractory Wegener's granulomatosis and its ophthalmic involvement. Herein, we report on 2 patients with refractory Wegener's granulomatosis and scleritis in whom cystoid macular oedema occurred several weeks after rituximab infusions. Notably, scleritis had already resolved when macular oedema was diagnosed. One patient's macular oedema was successfully treated with a subtenon injection of triamcinolone but recurred soon after she received a second cycle of rituximab as maintenance therapy. To our knowledge, to date no ophthalmic side effect has been reported after rituximab administration. The short time between each rituximab infusion and the onset of cystoid macular oedema strongly suggests a causal link.
Bussone
Guillaume
G
Université Paris Descartes, Service de Médecine Interne, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, France.
Kaswin
Godefroy
G
de Menthon
Mathilde
M
Delair
Emmanuelle
E
Brézin
Antoine P
AP
Guillevin
Loïc
L
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D005260:Female; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069283:Rituximab; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069283:Rituximab