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Rituximab (RTX), an anti-CD20 antibody that causes depletion of B cells, is increasingly used for autoimmune disorders management, including certain off-label indications. Data on the risk factors for and types of infection associated with RTX use in this population are scarce. In a manufacturer-funded, single-site, retrospective cohort study, investigators examined the incidence of serious infectious events (SIEs), defined as requiring hospitalization or intravenous antimicrobials or leading to death. They also evaluated risk factors associated with SIE and use of immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IgRT).
The 221 patients received a total of 276 courses of RTX and had a mean follow-up of 18.1 months. Of the study cohort, 78.8% also receive…