Operationalisation of post-COVID condition case definition in a comprehensive research protocol.

Background And Purpose: Post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) is a prevalent and high-burden sequela of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Because of the complexity of its manifestations, PCC case definition currently lacks standardisation and reproducibility. We aimed to devise a simple screening tool to boost reproducibility and comparability of PCC case definition across PCC studies, and to provide a framework in which to reliably identify suspected PCC cases.

Regular assessment of serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels to monitor POEMS syndrome.

Background: To investigate the utility of regular serum VEGF (sVEGF) levels assessment in the monitoring of POEMS syndrome.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data of 30 patients with POEMS syndrome whose sVEGF was tested regularly every 6 months. sVEGF levels after treatment were measured and correlated with disability (Overall Neuropathy Limitations Scale, ONLS), clinical impairment (measured with the modified Clinical Response Evaluation Scale, mCRES), and relapse-free survival.

New Onset of Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Following mRNA-Based COVID-19 Vaccine.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are safe and effective, also in individuals with allergic and immune-mediated diseases (IMDs). There are reports suggesting that vaccines may be able to trigger de-novo or exacerbate pre-existing IMDs in predisposed individuals. Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a small-vessel vasculitis characterized by asthma, eosinophilia, and eosinophil-rich granulomatous inflammation in various tissues.

Sensitivity and specificity of a commercial ELISA test for anti-MAG antibodies in patients with neuropathy.

For the diagnosis of anti-MAG polyneuropathy the commercial ELISA manufacturer currently recommends a cut-off of 1000 Bühlmann Titer Units (BTU). We analyzed sera from 80 anti-MAG neuropathy patients and 383 controls (with other neuropathies or healthy controls) to assess the ELISA sensitivity and specificity at different thresholds. A better combination of sensitivity/specificity was found at a threshold >1500 BTU than at >1000 BTU.

Home monitoring of maintenance intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in patients with chronic inflammatory neuropathy.

To evaluate the utility of different outcome measures to monitor dose adjustment of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy in patients with chronic inflammatory neuropathy (CIN). We assessed the adjustment of IVIg maintenance therapy in 20 patients (10 CIDP and 10 MMN) by regularly monitoring grip strength (GS) using a Martin Vigorimeter, RODS, and quality of life using the SF-36 questionnaire. These measures were regularly performed by the patient at home.