The clinical use of antithymocyte globulin is rarely reported in patients with rheumatic diseases. We describe the use of this agent in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus who concomitantly developed severe pancytopenia. High-dose methylprednisolone therapy had been unsuccessful in controlling either the disease exacerbation or the pancytopenia. Antithymocyte globulin and cyclosporin A were therefore administered to achieve immunosuppression. The exacerbation of disease activity was gradually lessened, except for persistent thrombocytopenia and anaemia. Severe and persistent immunosuppression, however, led to a fatal brain abscess. The combined use of both antithymocyte globulin and cyclosporin A induced potent immunosuppression, and should be confined to selected patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, and administered under detailed monitoring.

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antithymocyte globulin

Y, Morishita Y, Matsukawa Y, Kura M, Takei Y, Tomita S, Nishinarita T, Horie,.Antithymocyte globulin for a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus complicated by severe pancytopenia.. 25 (4),219-23.

Y, Morishita Y, Matsukawa Y, Kura M, Takei Y, Tomita S, Nishinarita T, Horie,"Antithymocyte globulin for a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus complicated by severe pancytopenia." 25

Y, Morishita Y, Matsukawa Y, Kura M, Takei Y, Tomita S, Nishinarita T, Horie,"Antithymocyte globulin for a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus complicated by severe pancytopenia."