Late-onset neutropenia after RITUXIMAB therapy for multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders and MOG-antibody-associated diseases.

Few cases of late onset neutropenia after RITUXIMAB treatment (LONART) have been reported in patients with neuroinflammatory disorders. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients treated with RITUXIMAB for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD), MOG-antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) and multiple sclerosis (MS) at the Toulouse University Hospital from November 2007 to October 2019. Ten patients with LONART were identified in a total of 385 patients: 4/25 were MOGAD patients, 2/20 were NMOSD patients and only 4/340 were MS patients (p < 0,05). Six required intravenous antibiotics whereas four were asymptomatic. Eight patients received new infusions of RITUXIMAB after resolution of their neutropenia. Neutropenia recurred in one patient.