title: Use of rituximab in pemphigus patients with chronic viral hepatitis: report of three cases.
abstract: Use of rituximab in patients with chronic viral hepatitis can worsen pre-existing hepatitis or reactivate occult infection. There are no reports of use of rituximab in pemphigus patients with co-existing viral hepatitis. Herein, we report three pemphigus patients with co-existing chronic viral hepatitis (hepatitis C (n = 2), hepatitis B (n = 1)), who were treated successfully with rituximab under close supervision and concurrent antiviral drug administration. There was no derangement of the liver function tests or increase in viral load in any of the patients. By incorporating good collaboration with a hepatologist and close follow-up, such patients can be managed successfully with biologic therapies when the conventional treatment modalities have failed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Amrinder J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kanwar
authors.forename: Keshavamurthy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vinay
authors.forename: Kara
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Heelan
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Neil H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Shear
authors.forename: Radha K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Dhiman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab