The Use of Intravenous Palivizumab for Treatment of Persistent RSV Infection in Children With Leukemia

Abstract

Palivizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody used to decrease the threat of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection among children at high risk. There are no standard guidelines due to conflicting data on palivizumab’s use in the treatment of RSV lower respiratory tract infections. Intravenous (IV) palivizumab was shown to be well tolerated and associated with decreased mortality in high-risk children who have RSV disease. However, it did not prevent lower respiratory tract infections and did not affect the survival rate of allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients who had RSV infection. We present 2 children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and persistent RSV infection while receiving chemotherapy. Patient A is a 4-year-old male with Down syndrome, ALL, and persistent RSV infection for at least 3 months. Patient B is a 3-year-old female with pre–B cell ALL whose chemotherapy intensification phase was delayed due to a month-long RSV infection. RSV infections were determined by using real-time polymerase chain reaction assays from nasopharyngeal swabs before IV palivizumab therapy; patient A was positive for RSV at 36 cycles and patient B was positive for RSV at 29 cycles. RSV infection was cleared in both patients within 72 hours after receiving IV palivizumab (patient A: 16 mg/kg; patient B: 15 mg/kg). IV palivizumab may be a treatment option for persistent RSV infection among immunocompromised patients.