Difficulties in ophthalmic symptom interpretation in a patient with COVID-19.

In this article, we describe the case of a 70-year-old man whose diagnosis of a brain meningioma was hindered by a SARS-CoV-2 infection. The patient, who had been vaccinated twice with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, was admitted to Temporary Hospital No. 2, University Hospital (Białystok, Poland) with a positive PCR test result for SARS-CoV-2.

Genetic Update and Treatment for Dystonia.

A neurological condition called dystonia results in abnormal, uncontrollable postures or movements because of sporadic or continuous muscular spasms. Several varieties of dystonia can impact people of all ages, leading to severe impairment and a decreased standard of living. The discovery of genes causing variations of single or mixed dystonia has improved our understanding of the disease's etiology.

The Role of Selected Interleukins in the Development and Progression of Multiple Sclerosis-A Systematic Review.

Multiple sclerosis is a disabling inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system characterized by demyelination and neurodegeneration. Given that multiple sclerosis remains an incurable disease, the management of MS predominantly focuses on reducing relapses and decelerating the progression of both physical and cognitive decline. The continuous autoimmune process modulated by cytokines seems to be a vital contributing factor to the development and relapse of multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis susceptibility may be associated with the coding rs20541 (R130Q) IL-13 gene polymorphism in the Polish population.

Some of the multiple autoimmune diseases have been already associated with IL-13 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). However, there are only few studies regarding multiple sclerosis (MS) risk and IL-13 rs20541 (R130Q) polymorphism, and their results are conflicting. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the frequency of the IL-13 gene rs20541 (R130Q) polymorphism in MS participants and its association with MS clinical subsets in the Polish population.

Cladribine tablets for highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in Poland: a real-world, multi-centre, retrospective, cohort study during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: Treatment with cladribine tablets is indicated in highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Cladribine tablets proved safe and effective in the pivotal CLARITY trial, but that trial included primarily treatment-naïve patients. In clinical practice however, cladribine tablets are often given to patients who have failed other treatments.

Disturbed Ratios between Essential and Toxic Trace Elements as Potential Biomarkers of Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Background: Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are known to be two of the metal contaminants that pose the greatest potential threat to human health. The purpose of this research study was to compare the levels of toxic metals (Cd, Pb) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), with a control group in Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland. The study also aimed to assess the correlations between toxic metals and clinical data in AIS patients, and to assess the potential effect of smoking.

Case report: First manifestation of multiple sclerosis temporally correlated with COVID-19 vaccination.

There are several case reports describing a temporal correlation between the first clinical manifestation of multiple sclerosis (MS) and the occurrence of relapses with vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. Here we report a case of a 33-year-old male who developed partial right upper and lower extremities numbness 2 weeks after receiving Johnson & Johnson's Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. The brain MRI performed during diagnostics in the Department of Neurology detected several demyelinating lesions, one with enhancement.

Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 S and N proteins in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients treated with disease-modifying therapies.

Clinical Rationale For The Study: The course of COVID-19 in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) has been described, while the serological status after SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination, especially in patients treated with disease-modifying therapies (DMT), is still under investigation. This is a significant clinical problem, as certain DMTs may predispose to a severe course of viral infections.

Aim Of The Study: We analyzed the presence of antibodies against spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) proteins of SARS-CoV-2 in relapsing-remitting PwMS treated with DMT, especially dimethyl fumarate, interferon beta, and glatiramer acetate, in a single multiple sclerosis (MS) centre in north-eastern Poland (the Department of Neurology, Medical University of Bialystok).

Evaluation of Free Light Chains (FLCs) Synthesis in Response to Exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

The aim of this study is to assess the synthesis of kappa (κ) and lambda (λ) free light chains (FLCs) in the serum of patients with COVID-19. All the 120 serum samples were collected from patients with COVID-19 and from healthy controls (vaccinated and non-vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2). FLCs, IgG total, IgG4, IgG anti-Nucleocapsid (N), anti-spike S1 receptor binding domain (S-RBD) antibodies and IL-6 were measured according to the manufacturers' instructions.

Analysis of Side Effects Following Vaccination Against COVID-19 Among Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis Treated With DMTs in Poland.

Background And Objectives: Since vaccination against COVID-19 is available for over a year and the population of immunized individuals with autoimmune disorders is higher than several months before, an evaluation of safety and registered adverse events can be made. We conducted a large study of side effects following the COVID-19 vaccine among patients with multiple (MS) sclerosis treated with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and analyzed factors predisposing for particular adverse events.

Methods: We gathered data of individuals with MS treated with DMTs from 19 Polish MS Centers, who reported at least one adverse event following COVID-19 vaccination.

Remdesivir-induced bradycardia in a 26-year-old patient with COVID-19: a case report.

Purpose: Remdesivir is the first line hospital treatment of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Despite its widespread use during COVID-19 pandemic, a limited number of data, also conflicting, are available about the frequency of cardiological side-effects. Additionally, identification of patients who belong to the risk groups for cardiovascular complications of antiviral treatment is difficult.

Safety of Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 among Polish Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Treated with Disease-Modifying Therapies.

(1) Background: The present study aims to report the side effects of vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who were being treated with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in Poland. (2) Methods: The study included 2261 patients with MS who were being treated with DMTs, and who were vaccinated against COVID-19 in 16 Polish MS centers. The data collected were demographic information, specific MS characteristics, current DMTs, type of vaccine, side effects after vaccination, time of side-effect symptom onset and resolution, applied treatment, relapse occurrence, and incidence of COVID-19 after vaccination.

Severe tick-borne encephalitis in a patient recovered from COVID 19.

North-eastern Poland is an endemic region for tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). The COVID-19 pandemic overlapped with the activity period of ticks that are the main vectors for TBE. As we know from short observation worldwide, SARS-CoV-2 virus affects significantly the immune system and can lead to serious complications of other infections even in previously healthy patients.

Co-occurrence of Fatigue and Depression in People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Mini-Review.

Fatigue and depression are common conditions diagnosed in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Fatigue defined as subjective lack of physical and/or mental energy is present in 35-97% of people with MS, who classify it as one of the most serious symptoms interfering with daily activities and influencing the quality of life. Depression is diagnosed in about 50% of people with MS.

Pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis in Poland: A registry-based retrospective cohort study.

Background: Epidemiologic data on pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) in Central and Eastern Europe are limited. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, prevalence and the clinical features of POMS in Poland.

Methods: Registry-based retrospective study was conducted among Polish children population (age ≤ 18 years), between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2019.

Plasma Levels and Diagnostic Utility of VEGF in a Three-Year Follow-Up of Patients with Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women globally. The increasing worldwide incidence of this type of cancer illustrates the challenge it represents for healthcare providers. Therefore, new tumor markers are constantly being sought.

Symptoms after COVID-19 Infection in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis in Poland.

(1) Background: To report and analyze the presence of residual symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection among Polish patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with different disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). (2) Methods: The study included 426 individuals with MS treated with DMTs and confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from 12 Polish MS centers. The data were collected through to 31 May 2021.

Variants of Novel Immunomodulatory Fc Receptor Like 5 Gene Are Associated With Multiple Sclerosis Susceptibility in the Polish Population.

Fc receptors have been shown to play a role in several autoimmune diseases. We aimed to test, for the first time, whether some of the single nucleotide variants in the gene were associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) susceptibility and clinical manifestations in the Polish population. The case-control study included 94 individuals with MS and 160 healthy subjects.

Clinical course and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection in multiple sclerosis patients treated with disease-modifying therapies - the Polish experience.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to report the course and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in Poland. A major concern for neurologists worldwide is the course and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with MS treated with different DMTs. Although initial studies do not suggest an unfavourable course of infection in this group of patients, the data is limited.

Assessment of Disability Progression Independent of Relapse and Brain MRI Activity in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Poland.

The aim of the study was to verify the association of clinical relapses and brain activity with disability progression in relapsing/remitting multiple sclerosis patients receiving disease-modifying treatments in Poland. Disability progression was defined as relapse-associated worsening (RAW), progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA), and progression independent of relapses and brain MRI Activity (PIRMA). Data from the Therapeutic Program Monitoring System were analyzed.

Some Common SNPs of the T-Cell Homeostasis-Related Genes Are Associated with Multiple Sclerosis, but Not with the Clinical Manifestations of the Disease, in the Polish Population.

Purpose: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease, and genetic factors play an important role in its pathogenesis and progression. The aim of our study was to evaluate the frequencies of alleles and genetic variants of the T-cell homeostasis-related genes, in subjects with MS, as well as to investigate the association with MS clinical manifestations and disability.

Methods: 94 subjects with MS and 160 healthy individuals have been genotyped for seven common single-nucleotide variants in IL-2RA, CTLA4, CD40, and PADI4 genes.

John Cunningham Virus Status, Seroconversion Rate, and the Risk of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy in Polish John Cunningham Virus-Seronegative Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.

Introduction: Presence of anti-JC-virus antibodies (JCVAbs) is associated with the increased risk of natalizumab (NAT)-related progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Little is known about seroconversion rate and time to seroconversion in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients treated with NAT in Poland. The aim of the study was to assess the true risk of PML, seroconversion rate, and time to seroconversion in all JCVAb-negative RRMS patients treated with NAT in Poland.

Quality of Life of Patients with Arterial Hypertension.

Symptoms of hypertension with accompanying complications result in a significant reduction in patients' quality of life. Effective conduct of prescribed pharmacotherapy supported by a healthy lifestyle allows to achieve satisfactory effects of treatment, which translates into an improvement in the quality of life of patients. The aim of the work was to determine the quality of life of patients with hypertension and the factors affecting it.

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of multiple sclerosis patients receiving disease-modifying treatment in Poland.

Aim Of Study: The aim of this study was to collect and analyse data on relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients receiving disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in Poland.

Material And Methods: This observational, multicentre study with prospective data collection included RRMS patients receiving DMTs reimbursed by the National Health Fund (NFZ) in Poland, monitored by the Therapeutic Programme Monitoring System (SMPT). Demographic profiles, disability status, and treatment modalities were analysed.