Neurológia pre prax 3/2017

Listeria meningitis after administration of alemtuzumab for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Alemtuzumab (ALM) is a humanized monoclonal antibody intended for the treatment of patients with active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Treatment with this agent may be accompanied by some serious complications. Following this treatment, another autoimmune disease can develop and infectious complications of varying severity can also occur. The present case report describes the development of listeria meningitis in a female patient following a course of ALM for multiple sclerosis. Listeria meningitis is a bacterial infection whose source usually is contaminated food. Patients who have had treatment with ALM may be more vulnerable to this infection due to changes in the immune system; thus, increased clinical alertness is essential in order for the condition to be correctly diagnosed as well as managed.

Keywords: multiple sclerosis, alemtuzumab, listeria meningitis, immune system