Cutaneous Cell-Mediated Delayed Hypersensitivity to Intravitreal Bevacizumab

The literature contains few reports describing autoimmune reactions to intravitreal bevacizumab and no Type-IV delayed hypersensitivity reactions. This was unexpected, as administration of intravenous bevacizumab has frequently caused dermatologic side-effects. This difference was likely attributable in part to the minimum 300-times difference between intravitreal versus intravenous dosing. Here, we present a case of a 52-year-old male who was treated with plaque brachytherapy for a subfoveal choroidal melanoma. The patient was treated with intravitreal bevacizumab for macular edema, retinal detachment and to delay radiation retinopathy. Following his eighth injection, the patient experienced pruritus, rashes, and progressive exacerbations associated with subsequent injections. Cessation of bevacizumab with or without medication (e.g., oral steroid, antihistamine) resulted in complete remission. Switching to periodic intravitreal aflibercept resulted in no additional cutaneous reactions. Physicians administering intravitreal bevacizumab should be aware of this potential systemic side-effect. Its delayed time course facilitates identification and, thus, treatment to resolution.