A case of acute respiratory failure related to rituximab therapy

Introduction Rituximab is indicated for the treatment of low-grade lymphoma. Pulmonary toxicity related to rituximab is exceptional. Case report Here we report a patient with non-Hodgkin lymphoma treated with "CHOP" chemotherapy (cyclophosphosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine and prednisolone) and rituximab who developed an interstitial pneumonia with acute respiratory failure. The differential diagnosis of this clinical and radiological diagnosis is discussed. Conclusion Although cases of interstitial pneumonia associated with rituximab are rare, they may be severe and thus any patient experiencing respiratory symptoms on this therapy should be monitored closely.