Browsing by Subject "Meningococcal Infections"

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    Long-term safety and efficacy of eculizumab in generalized myasthenia gravis.
    (Muscle & nerve, 2019-07) Muppidi, Srikanth; Utsugisawa, Kimiaki; Benatar, Michael; Murai, Hiroyuki; Barohn, Richard J; Illa, Isabel; Jacob, Saiju; Vissing, John; Burns, Ted M; Kissel, John T; Nowak, Richard J; Andersen, Henning; Casasnovas, Carlos; de Bleecker, Jan L; Vu, Tuan H; Mantegazza, Renato; O'Brien, Fanny L; Wang, Jing Jing; Fujita, Kenji P; Howard, James F; Regain Study Group

    Introduction

    Eculizumab is effective and well tolerated in patients with antiacetylcholine receptor antibody-positive refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG; REGAIN; NCT01997229). We report an interim analysis of an open-label extension of REGAIN, evaluating eculizumab's long-term safety and efficacy.

    Methods

    Eculizumab (1,200 mg every 2 weeks for 22.7 months [median]) was administered to 117 patients.

    Results

    The safety profile of eculizumab was consistent with REGAIN; no cases of meningococcal infection were reported during the interim analysis period. Myasthenia gravis exacerbation rate was reduced by 75% from the year before REGAIN (P < 0.0001). Improvements with eculizumab in activities of daily living, muscle strength, functional ability, and quality of life in REGAIN were maintained through 3 years; 56% of patients achieved minimal manifestations or pharmacological remission. Patients who had received placebo during REGAIN experienced rapid and sustained improvements during open-label eculizumab (P < 0.0001).

    Discussion

    These findings provide evidence for the long-term safety and sustained efficacy of eculizumab for refractory gMG. Muscle Nerve 2019.
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    Meningococcemia in a patient coinfected with hepatitis C virus and HIV.
    (Emerg Infect Dis, 2000-11) Nelson, CG; Iler, MA; Woods, CW; Bartlett, JA; Fowler, VG
    We describe the first reported case of meningococcemia in a patient coinfected with hepatitis C virus and HIV. Hypocomplementemia secondary to hepatic dysfunction may have enhanced the patient's susceptibility to meningococcal infection.