A Case Report of Rituximab Induced Angioedema

Abstract

Rituximab is a genetically engineered chimeric murine/human monoclonal IgG1 kappa antibody directed against the CD20 antigen. It has been approved for rheumatoid arthritis and is a promising new agent in the treatment of several autoimmune neurological disorders and also Sjögren’s syndrome. Common adverse reactions to treatment with Rituximab include infusion reactions including angioedema and hypersensitivity reactions. In the present case, we observed severe angioedema after low dose of Rituximab therapy. Clinicians should be vigilant when using Rituximab for such hypersensitivity phenomenon occurring despite pre-medicating with glucocorticoids.

Keywords

• hypersensitivity reactions
• rheumatology
• sjögren’s syndrome