Table 1 Baseline and follow-up characteristics of anti-MCV isotypes for responders compared to non-responders to RTX treatment, respecting baseline seropositivity, mean titers and relative titer changes upon RTX treatment

Positive at baseline (n, %)

37

100 %

13

100 %

Negative at baseline (n, %)

0

0 %

0

0 %

Mean baseline titer (v ± SD in U/ml)

769.05

891.04

856.99

982.98

Titer decrease (n, %)

31

84 %

11

85 %

Titer increase (n, %)

6

16 %

1

7.5 %

Mean titer at 24 weeks (v ± SD in U/ml)

390.46

432.06

662.67

834.47

Percentage decline/Wilcoxon P value

49.22 %

P <0.0001

22.68 %

P = 0.02

Mann–Whitney U P value (24 weeks)

Seronormalization (n, %)

4

11 %

1

8 %

Seroconversion (n, %)

0

0 %

0

0 %

Positive at baseline (n, %)

16

43 %

9

69 %

Negative at baseline (n, %)

21

57 %

4

31 %

Mean baseline titer (v ± SD in U/ml)

39.97

94.43

106.06

147.25

Titer decrease (n, %)

33

89 %

8

62 %

Titer increase (n, %)

4

11 %

5

38 %

Mean titer at 24 weeks (v ± SD in U/ml)

10.41

10.84

39.80

48.62

Percentage decline/Wilcoxon P value

73.95 %

P <0.0001

62.5 %

P = 0.03

Mann–Whitney U P value (24 weeks)

Seronormalization (n, %)

11

69 %

3

33 %

Seroconversion (n, %)

0

0 %

1

25 %

Positive at baseline (n, %)

12

32 %

9

69 %

Negative at baseline (n, %)

25

68 %

4

31 %

Mean baseline titer (v ± SD in U/ml)

90.14

240.85

182.51

483.40

Titer decrease (n, %)

32

87 %

9

69 %

Titer increase (n, %)

5

13 %

4

31 %

Mean titer at 24 weeks (v ± SD in U/ml)

29.84

89.06

218.57

513.17

Percentage decline/Wilcoxon P value

67 %

P <0.0001

19.76 %

P = 0.17

Mann–Whitney U P value (24 weeks)

Seronormalization (n, %)

5

42 %

2

22 %

Seroconversion (n, %)

0

0 %

0

0 %