Use of Rituximab in Epstein–Barr Virus Infection Following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of rituximab on Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection, following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Methods: This study involved 10 patients who were diagnosed with EBV viremia after allo-HSCT, treated in Qingdao Central Hospital from January 2015 to June 2017. These patients received rituximab and the therapeutic effect was observed during the follow-up visits. Results: Of the 10 patients, 5 patients died after treatment with rituximab for EBV infection after allo-HSCT. Analysis of the 5 expired patients revealed that 4 patients died due to recurrence of the primary disease while 1 patient died of severe pneumonia. The five surviving patients achieved complete remission. Conclusions: Early treatment with rituximab was effective in treating EBV infection after allo-HSCT. We recommend that in high-risk patients, EBV levels should be closely monitored soon after transplantation and rituximab therapy should be initiated at the earliest.