title: Central nervous system herpes simplex and varicella zoster virus infections in natalizumab-treated patients.
abstract: We report on 20 natalizumab-treated patients with multiple sclerosis who developed laboratory-confirmed central nervous system (CNS) herpesvirus infections. In addition to progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, other CNS opportunistic infections have been rarely reported during natalizumab treatment. We encourage heightened awareness due to the risk for serious outcomes.
authors.affiliation: US Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA. andrew.fine@fda.hhs.gov
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Fine
authors.forename: Alfred
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sorbello
authors.forename: Cindy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kortepeter
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Scarazzini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020803:Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / Q000139:chemically induced*; D020804:Encephalitis, Varicella Zoster / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008587:Meningitis, Viral / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D000069442:Natalizumab; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000069442:Natalizumab
keywords: HSV; VZV; encephalitis; meningitis; natalizumab