Serological evidence of increased susceptibility to varicella-zoster virus reactivation or reinfection in natalizumab-treated patients with multiple sclerosis
Kohlmann R, Salmen A, Chan A, Knabbe C, Diekmann J, Brockmeyer N, Skaletz-Rorowski A, Michalik C, Gold R, Überla K (2015)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2015
Journal
Book Volume: 21
Pages Range: 1823-32
Journal Issue: 14
Abstract
Serious adverse drug reactions of disease-modifying drugs in multiple sclerosis (MS) therapy may include enhanced susceptibility to reactivation of neurotropic herpes viruses like varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and the John Cunningham (JC) polyomavirus.Because symptomatic reactivation of these viruses are rare events, we determined the incidence of rises in anti-VZV IgG antibody levels as a potential marker for enhanced susceptibility to subclinical and symptomatic reactivation of neurotropic viruses.Anti-VZV IgG levels were measured in paired serum samples taken 6-8 months apart from natalizumab-treated MS patients, healthy blood donors and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients.The incidence of significant rises in anti-VZV IgG levels in natalizumab-treated MS patients was 4.26 per 100 person-years, which was significantly higher than in healthy blood donors. Retrospective evaluation of the available medical records of patients with rises of anti-VZV IgG levels did not reveal herpes zoster (i.e. shingles) manifestations.The increased incidence of significant rises of anti-VZV IgG levels in natalizumab-treated MS patients might indicate an association of natalizumab treatment of MS with an elevated risk of a subclinical VZV reactivation and/or reinfection events. Whether this is predictive of an increased risk of herpes zoster or even symptomatic reactivation of other neurotropic viruses remains to be determined in larger prospective studies.
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Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Kohlmann, R., Salmen, A., Chan, A., Knabbe, C., Diekmann, J., Brockmeyer, N.,... Überla, K. (2015). Serological evidence of increased susceptibility to varicella-zoster virus reactivation or reinfection in natalizumab-treated patients with multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis journal, 21(14), 1823-32. https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1352458515576984
MLA:
Kohlmann, Rebekka, et al. "Serological evidence of increased susceptibility to varicella-zoster virus reactivation or reinfection in natalizumab-treated patients with multiple sclerosis." Multiple sclerosis journal 21.14 (2015): 1823-32.
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