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  • Title: Neuromyelitis optica and pregnancy during therapeutic B cell depletion: infant exposure to anti-AQP4 antibody and prevention of rebound relapses with low-dose rituximab postpartum.
    Author: Ringelstein M, Harmel J, Distelmaier F, Ingwersen J, Menge T, Hellwig K, Kieseier B, Mayatepek E, Hartung HP, Kuempfel T, Aktas O.
    Journal: Mult Scler; 2013 Oct; 19(11):1544-7. PubMed ID: 23886825.
    Abstract:
    Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) predominantly affects women, some in childbearing age, and requires early therapeutic intervention to prevent disabling relapses. We report an anti-AQP4 antibody-seropositive patient who became pregnant seven months after low-dose (100 mg) rituximab application. Pregnancy showed no complications, and low-dose rituximab restarted two days after delivery resulted in neurological stability for 24 months. Remarkably, her otherwise healthy newborn presented with anti-AQP4 antibody and reduced B lymphocyte counts in umbilical cord blood, which normalized three months later. Confirming and extending previous reports, our case suggests that low-dose rituximab might be compatible with pregnancy and prevent rebound NMO disease activity postpartum.
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