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Stoian A, Bajko Z, Stoian M, Cioflinc RA, Niculescu R, Arbănași EM, Russu E, Botoncea M, Bălașa R. The Occurrence of Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis in SARS-CoV-2 Infection/Vaccination: Our Experience and a Systematic Review of the Literature. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1225. [PMID: 37515041 PMCID: PMC10385010 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11071225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The neurological complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and the side effects of vaccination include immune-mediated diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) such as acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). It is an acute-onset demyelinating disease that involves a rapid evolution and multifocal neurological deficits that develops following a viral or bacterial infection or, less frequently, following vaccination. Acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis (AHLE) is the hemorrhagic variant of ADEM that presents a more severe evolution which can be followed by coma and death. The objectives of this study consist in evaluating the diagnosis, clinical characteristics, imaging and laboratory features, evolution, and treatment of ADEM and AHLE following COVID-19 infection or vaccination. METHODS We performed a systematic review of the medical literature according to PRISMA guidelines that included ADEM cases published between 1 January 2020 and 30 November 2022 following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and vaccination and also included our own clinical experience regarding this pathology. RESULTS A total number of 74 patients were diagnosed with ADEM, 45 following COVID-19 infection and 29 after a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. A total of 13 patients (17.33%) presented AHLE. The moderate form of COVID-19 presented a positive correlation with AHLE (r = 0.691, p < 0.001). The existence of coma and AHLE was correlated with poor outcomes. The following more aggressive immunomodulatory therapies applied in severe cases were correlated with poor outcomes (major sequelae and death): therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) treatment (r = 382, p = 0.01) and combined therapy with corticosteroids and TPE (r = 0.337, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS Vaccinations are essential to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the monitoring of adverse events is an important part of the strategic fight against SARS-CoV-2. The general benefits and the overall good evolution outweigh the risks, and prompt diagnosis is associated with a better prognosis in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adina Stoian
- Department of Pathophysiology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Zoltan Bajko
- Department of Neurology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Mircea Stoian
- Department Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
| | | | - Raluca Niculescu
- Department of Pathophysiology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
- Doctoral School of Medicine and Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Emil Marian Arbănași
- Doctoral School of Medicine and Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
- Department of Vascular Surgery, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
- Clinic of Vascular Surgery, Mures County Emergency Hospital, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Eliza Russu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
- Clinic of Vascular Surgery, Mures County Emergency Hospital, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Marian Botoncea
- Department of General Surgery, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Rodica Bălașa
- Department of Neurology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
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Tonev DG, Momchilova AB. Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in Certain Immune-Mediated Neurological Disorders: Focus on a Novel Nanomembrane-Based Technology. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020328. [PMID: 36830870 PMCID: PMC9953422 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is an efficient extracorporeal blood purification technique to remove circulating autoantibodies and other pathogenic substances. Its mechanism of action in immune-mediated neurological disorders includes immediate intravascular reduction of autoantibody concentration, pulsed induction of antibody redistribution, and subsequent immunomodulatory changes. Conventional TPE with 1 to 1.5 total plasma volume (TPV) exchange is a well-established treatment in Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy, Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder, Myasthenia Gravis and Multiple Sclerosis. There is insufficient evidence for the efficacy of so-called low volume plasma exchange (LVPE) (<1 TPV exchange) implemented either by the conventional or by a novel nanomembrane-based TPE in these neurological conditions, including their impact on conductivity and neuroregenerative recovery. In this narrative review, we focus on the role of nanomembrane-based technology as an alternative LVPE treatment option in these neurological conditions. Nanomembrane-based technology is a promising type of TPE, which seems to share the basic advantages of the conventional one, but probably with fewer adverse effects. It could play a valuable role in patient management by ameliorating neurological symptoms, improving disability, and reducing oxidative stress in a cost-effective way. Further research is needed to identify which patients benefit most from this novel TPE technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitar G. Tonev
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Medical University of Sofia, University Hospital “Tzaritza Yoanna—ISUL”, 1527 Sofia, Bulgaria
- Correspondence:
| | - Albena B. Momchilova
- Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Science, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
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Stoian A, Bajko Z, Maier S, Cioflinc RA, Grigorescu BL, Moțățăianu A, Bărcuțean L, Balașa R, Stoian M. High-dose intravenous immunoglobulins as a therapeutic option in critical illness polyneuropathy accompanying SARS-CoV-2 infection: A case-based review of the literature (Review). Exp Ther Med 2021; 22:1182. [PMID: 34475972 PMCID: PMC8406741 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.10616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The still ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the medical community to a number of major challenges. A significant number of patients require admission to intensive care unit (ICU) services due to severe respiratory, thrombotic and septic complications and require long-term hospitalization. Neuromuscular weakness is a common complication in critically ill patients who are treated in ICUs and are mechanically ventilated. This complication is frequently caused by critical illness myopathy (CIM) or critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP) and leads to difficulty in weaning from the ventilator. It is thought to represent an important neurologic manifestation of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). COVID-19 infection is known to trigger strong immune dysregulation, with an intense cytokine storm, as a result, the frequency of CIP is expected to be higher in this setting. The mainstay in the diagnosis of this entity beside the high level of clinical awareness is the electrophysiological examination that provides evidence of axonal motor and sensory polyneuropathy. The present article presents the case of a 54-year-old woman with severe COVID 19 infection who developed neuromuscular weakness, which turned out to be secondary to CIP and was treated successfully with a high dose of human intravenous immunoglobulins. Related to this case, we reviewed the relevant literature data regarding the epidemiology, pathophysiology and clinical features of this important complication and discussed also the treatment options and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adina Stoian
- Department of Pathophysiology, 'George Emil Palade' University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Zoltan Bajko
- Department of Neurology, 'George Emil Palade' University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Smaranda Maier
- Department of Neurology, 'George Emil Palade' University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
| | | | - Bianca Liana Grigorescu
- Department of Pathophysiology, 'George Emil Palade' University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Anca Moțățăianu
- Department of Neurology, 'George Emil Palade' University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Laura Bărcuțean
- Department of Neurology, 'George Emil Palade' University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Rodica Balașa
- Department of Neurology, 'George Emil Palade' University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Mircea Stoian
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, 'George Emil Palade' University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
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