Rituximab for sight-threatening refractory pediatric Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease

Abstract

Rituximab was trialed in a refractory Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease (VKH). A 10-year-old girl with panuveitis recalcitrant to treatment, including corticosteroids, was diagnosed with VKH 20 months later. Following rituximab at 0, 1, 6, and 18 months, response was favorable after the second dose, usual life activity resumed after the third dose (uveitis was inactivated and vision improved), and eyes stabilized 9 months after the fourth dose. Rituximab is effective in the treatment and long-term control of advanced, pediatric VKH.

Keywords:

• Rituximab
• Uveitis
• Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada
• Pediatric

Acknowledgements

We deeply appreciate the cooperation of Professor Tugal-Tutkan from the Ophthalmology Department of Istanbul University. We are also grateful to the pharmacists and the pharmacy department for their cooperation in making the drugs available.

Conflict of interest

None.