A rare urinary JC virus reactivation after long-term therapy with rituximab

The possible role of JC virus in determining urinary tract involvement has only recently been recognized. The case of a man with laboratory-confirmed JC virus replication in the urine after a maintenance schedule of rituximab administered for a lymphoproliferative disorder is reported herein. The patient developed severe renal and urinary tract impairment, characterized by the onset of nephropathy, bilateral ureteral strictures, and a serious reduction in vesical compliance, ultimately requiring an ileal neobladder configuration. The renal and urinary tract involvement was finally attributed to JC virus reactivation. This observation suggests that renal and urinary tract diseases related to JC virus might be associated with long-term rituximab treatment. (C) 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of International Society for Infectious Diseases.

Automated summary

This case report highlights the potential role of JC virus in urinary tract involvement after rituximab treatment. The patient developed severe renal and urinary tract complications attributed to JC virus reactivation, indicating a possible association between long-term rituximab treatment and JC virus-related diseases.