Faculty Collaboration Database

Toxic epidermal necrolysis in two rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) after administration of rituximab. Comp Med 2005 Aug;55(4):377-81

Date

09/15/2005

Pubmed ID

16158913

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-33645995442 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   13 Citations

Abstract

A 2- and a 7-year-old rhesus macaque developed toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) after administration of ritux imab. Rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed against the CD20 antigen on B lymphocytes, is used to treat certain B cell neoplasias. The macaques were part of a gene therapy study that involved administering an adeno-associated viral vector encoding human factor IX (hFIX) to the animals. Both animals developed antibody against hFIX, which eliminated expression of the protein. Rituximab was administered to deplete the population of B cells producing antibodies against the protein. Two days after treatment, the 7-year-old animal developed erythemic skin lesions that rapidly progressed in severity, resulting in epidermal sloughing and ulceration. Despite aggressive treatment with analgesics, antibiotics, and corticosteroids, the animal had to be euthanized 5 days later. The 2-year-old macaque had no reaction to the initial dose of rituximab and received a second infusion 2 weeks later. Two days after drug administration, skin lesions developed; aggressive analgesic, antibiotic, and corticosteroid treatment was initiated, and the lesions resolved. A third rituximab dose was given approximately 2 months after the second. Skin lesions developed and were treated. The animal made a full recovery. In both cases, skin biopsies were taken and histopathologic findings were consistent with TEN. A severe, life-threatening condition, TEN manifests as an intolerance reaction in the skin. The most common cause of TEN is a response to previous drug administration. To our knowledge, this condition has not been reported in association with rituximab administration in macaques.

Author List

Allen KP, Funk AJ, Mandrell TD

Author

Kenneth Paul Allen DVM Associate Professor in the Research Office department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Abdomen
Animals
Antibodies, Monoclonal
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
Antineoplastic Agents
Diagnosis, Differential
Hindlimb
Macaca mulatta
Monkey Diseases
Rituximab
Skin
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome