Persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection resolved after B-cell recovery in a patient with follicular lymphoma treated with B-cell depletion therapy

Yuriko Sueda; Hirokazu Tokuyasu; Momoka Atsuta; Hiromitsu Sakai; Katsunori Arai; Chika Esumi; Misato Mochizuki; Tomoki Itohara; Naoki Fujisawa; Akira Yamasaki

doi:10.1016/j.rmcr.2024.102131

Persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection resolved after B-cell recovery in a patient with follicular lymphoma treated with B-cell depletion therapy

Respir Med Case Rep. 2024 Oct 18:52:102131. doi: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2024.102131. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Respiratory Medicine Division, Matsue Red Cross Hospital, Matsue City, Shimane, Japan.
² Pathology Division, Matsue Red Cross Hospital, Matsue City, Shimane, Japan.
³ Pharmacy Division, Matsue Red Cross Hospital, Matsue City, Shimane, Japan.
⁴ Clinical Laboratory Division, Matsue Red Cross Hospital, Matsue City, Shimane, Japan.
⁵ Division of Virology, Shimane Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Environmental Science, Matsue City, Shimane, Japan.
⁶ Division of Respiratory Medicine and Rheumatology, Department of Multidisciplinary Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago City, Tottori, Japan.

Abstract

A 68-year-old woman with follicular lymphoma was treated with chemotherapy, including the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody obinutuzumab, and achieved remission. A month after the administration of obinutuzumab, the patient contracted coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and various antiviral drugs were administered. However, the infection had not been eliminated. One year and three months after chemotherapy, peripheral B cell recovery was achieved, and the infection had resolved. This report provides insight into the course of COVID-19 in patients with impaired humoral immunity.

Keywords: Anti-CD20 antibody; B-cell depletion therapy; Follicular lymphoma; Obinutuzumab; Persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Publication types

Case Reports