Key result
Anti-CD20 therapy ofatumumab linked to rare but severe enteroviral encephalitis in multiple sclerosis.
Why the study?
Enteroviral encephalitis is a rare, devastating infectious complication described under rituximab and ocrelizumab, but its occurrence with ofatumumab required characterization.
Is ofatumumab associated with enteroviral encephalitis in patients with multiple sclerosis?
Case Report (n=1)
Is ofatumumab associated with enteroviral encephalitis in patients with multiple sclerosis?
Enteroviral encephalitis is a severe infectious complication associated with anti-CD20 therapies, including ofatumumab, as a class effect.
Alerts clinicians to possible enteroviral encephalitis with ofatumumab in MS; single case leaves open class-effect confirmation.
BACKGROUND: Enteroviral encephalitis is a rare but potentially devastating infectious complication described under the anti-CD20 therapies rituximab and ocrelizumab. CASE: A 37-year-old woman with multiple sclerosis (MS) on treatment with ofatumumab developed fever, confusion, seizures, and decreased level of consciousness. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed bilateral, non-enhancing thalamic T2 hyperintensities, and cerebrospinal fluid showed pleocytosis with positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for enterovirus. The patient was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and supportive care, and then pocapavir was given for ongoing neurologic deficits. She recovered over 6 weeks but continued to demonstrate neuropsychiatric symptoms. CONCLUSION: Enteroviral encephalitis is associated with anti-CD20 therapies for MS as a class effect including ofatumumab.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Rotstein et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Multiple sclerosis, enteroviral encephalitis (n=1). Ofatumumab was evaluated. Ofatumumab, an anti-CD20 therapy for multiple sclerosis, is associated with the rare but severe infectious complication of enteroviral encephalitis.
Synapse has enriched 4 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: