Herpes zoster prevention in multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.

A working group convened by the Section of Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology of the Polish Neurological Society, the Polish Society of Family Medicine, and the Polish Society of Vaccinology has developed a consensus on supplementary data to the recommendations of the expert group of the Polish Society of Vaccinology, the Polish Society of Family Medicine, the Polish Dermatological Society, the Polish Association for the Study of Pain, and the Polish Neurological Society, and ECTRIMS/EAN of 2023 with regard to the currently available in Poland recombinant herpes zoster vaccine (RZV). It is intended for the prevention of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia in individuals aged > 50 and individuals aged ≥ 18 who belong to herpes zoster risk groups. In Poland it is available with 50% reimbursement exclusively for patients aged 65 and older who have an increased risk of developing herpes zoster.

Update on diagnosis and treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) - recommendations of Section of Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology of Polish Neurological Society.

Introduction: An expert panel of the Section of Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology of the Polish Neurological Society has developed principles for the management of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD). These principles are based on expert opinion and data from the literature published up to May 2023. Recommendations were developed based on the results of the most recent clinical trials, guidelines of foreign and international scientific societies, and the authors' clinical experience.

Patterns of cerebral damage in multiple sclerosis and aquaporin-4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders-major differences revealed by non-conventional imaging.

Multiple sclerosis and aquaporin-4 antibody neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders are distinct autoimmune CNS disorders with overlapping clinical features but differing pathology. Multiple sclerosis is primarily a demyelinating disease with the presence of widespread axonal damage, while neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders is characterized by astrocyte injury with secondary demyelination. Diagnosis is typically based on lesion characteristics observed on standard MRI imaging and antibody testing but can be challenging in patients with in-between clinical presentations.

Analysis of seroconversion following COVID-19 vaccination among multiple sclerosis patients treated with disease-modifying therapies in Poland.

Clinical Rationale For The Study: The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 throughout the world has highlighted the importance of vaccinations to control the pandemic and to protect people at risk for severe disease courses. Disease-modifying therapies (DMT) in multiple sclerosis (MS), whether immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive, may affect the immune response. Therefore, the question arose as to whether these vaccinations would be effective.

Value of short exercise and short exercise with cooling tests in diagnosis of recessive form of myotonia congenita (Becker disease) - are sex differences important?

Introduction: In myotonia congenita (MC), activation with exercise or cooling can induce transient changes in compound motor action potential (CMAP) parameters, thus providing a guide to genetic analysis.

Material And Methods: We performed the short exercise test (SET) and the short exercise test with cooling (SETC) in 30 patients with genetically confirmed Becker disease (BMC) to estimate their utility in the diagnosis of BMC.

Results: Although we observed a significant decrease in CMAP amplitude immediately after maximal voluntary effort in both tests in the whole BMC group, in men this decline was significantly smaller than in women, especially in SET.