Persistent SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Patient Who Developed COVID-19 While Receiving Rituximab: A Case Report

VernacularTitle:リツキシマブ投与中にCOVID-19を発症し，SARS-CoV-2の持続感染を認めた１例
Author: Toshiaki MOTEGI ¹ ; Shigen HAYASHI ¹ ; Kenta NAKAMURA ¹ ; Kenya KURAMOTO ¹ ; Tatsuya AKIYAMA ¹ ; Hiroshi EBE ² ; Hirofumi SAKURAI ¹ ; Akihiro NOMURA ¹
Author Information

1. Dept. of Respiratory Medicine, Ibaraki Seinan Medical Center Hospital
2. Dept. of Rheumatology and Collagen Diseases, Ibaraki Seinan Medical Center Hospital
From:Journal of the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine 2025;74(4):397-402
CountryJapan
Language:Japanese
Abstract: This case involves a man in his 60s who was undergoing rituximab therapy and developed COVID-19 pneumonia and showed persistent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Despite treatments with dexamethasone, remdesivir, tocilizumab, and other drugs, the patient remained SARS-CoV-2 positive and ultimately died of respiratory failure. Patients receiving B-cell depletion therapy have an increased risk of persistent viral infections due to immunosuppression, underscoring the importance of early intervention with antiviral drugs and neutralizing antibodies in such cases.