Fatal adenoviral hepatitis after rituximab therapy

Abstract

Rituximab is an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of B-cell proliferative disorders. Although it is very effective in many cases, a number of case reports in the literature have described fatal viral reactivations associated with rituximab therapy. We report what is to our knowledge the first case of fatal adenoviral hepatitis in a patient with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia treated with rituximab. This case is a new example of an emerging pattern of association between rituximab therapy and fatal viral reactivations, and it urges increased vigilance when using rituximab-based treatment regimens.