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Case report reveals fatal cerebral toxoplasmosis reactivation during natalizumab treatment for multiple sclerosis, suggesting risks when immune surveillance is impaired by comorbidities.
Natalizumab is a highly effective therapy but may impair central nervous system (CNS) immune surveillance, leading to rare opportunistic infections. We report a fatal case of cerebral toxoplasmosis under natalizumab. A 61-year-old man with stable multiple sclerosis (MS) developed acute hemiparesis on natalizumab therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed multiple ring-enhancing lesions. Brain biopsy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed reactivated Toxoplasma gondii . A low-risk IgG κ monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) was identified. Despite antiparasitic therapy, the patient developed coma and died. Natalizumab-induced CNS immune compartmentalization, combined with subtle MGUS-related immune dysfunction and immunosenescence, may have facilitated intracerebral reactivation. Vigilance for opportunistic infections may be warranted in older patients with hematologic comorbidities receiving natalizumab.
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Konseiga et al. (2026) studied this question.
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