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Rituximab is effective in severe treatment-resistant neurological Behçet’s syndrome

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Abstract

The objective of this study is to describe a case of severe and treatment-resistant neurological Behçet’s syndrome responsive to a novel therapy. This case report describes the patient who failed to respond to conventional therapy but the brain stem lesion resolved with the anti-CD20 biological agent rituximab. Neurological complications are uncommon in Behçet’s syndrome; 80 % involve a meningoencephalitis which can be severe and relapsing. This is the first report of effectiveness of rituximab in this uncommon disease.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, London, NW3 2QG, UK

    D. P. Kidd

  2. Behçet’s Syndrome Centre of Excellence, Dental Institute, Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, London, E1 1BB, UK

    D. P. Kidd

Authors
  1. D. P. Kidd
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Correspondence to D. P. Kidd.

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Conflicts of interest

Dr. Kidd reports no disclosures.

Ethical standard

The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical standards laid down in the 1964 declaration of Helsinki.

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Kidd, D.P. Rituximab is effective in severe treatment-resistant neurological Behçet’s syndrome. J Neurol 262, 2676–2677 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-015-7897-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-015-7897-y

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