Pneumocystis pneumonia in a patient treated with alemtuzumab for relapsing multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is a known risk in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia treated with alemtuzumab (Campath®). However, no recommendation for PJP prophylaxis for alemtuzumab use in multiple sclerosis (Lemtrada®) and no known associated PJP has been reported to date. We report a patient who developed PJP two months after receiving the first course of Lemtrada, and fully recovered after receiving cotrimoxazole treatment. We should remain vigilant of opportunistic infections in patients who develop pneumonitis and evaluate the need for PJP prophylaxis during Lemtrada treatment.

Keywords: Alemtuzumab; Multiple sclerosis; Pneumocystis jirovecii; Pneumocystis pneumonia; Prophylaxis.