Hypogammaglobulinemia and Infection Risk in an Ocrelizumab-treated Multiple Sclerosis Cohort.

Background: Ocrelizumab is an effective anti-CD20 therapy approved for Relapsing Remitting (RRMS) and Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS). In clinical trials, a proportion of patients developed hypogammaglobulinemia which could contribute to infection risk. This study aimed to identify hypogammaglobulinemia and its risk factors and evaluate potentially associated serious infection risk in a real-world cohort of patients.

A pilot study comparing myelin measurements from myelin water imaging and C-PIB PET in multiple sclerosis.

MRI-based myelin water fraction (MWF) and PET-based Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) imaging both have potential to measure myelin in multiple sclerosis (MS). We characterised the differences in MWF and PiB binding in MS lesions relative to normal-appearing white matter and assessed the correlation between MWF and PiB binding in 11 MS participants and 3 healthy controls within 14 white matter regions of interest. Both PiB binding and MWF were reduced in MS lesions relative to NAWM, and a modest within subject correlation between MWF and PiB binding was found.

Autoimmune storm following alemtuzumab.

Alemtuzumab has been associated with the emergence of secondary autoimmune diseases. We report a case of a patient with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis who developed a refractory immune thrombocytopaenia associated with vasculitis, myelofibrosis and later Guillain-Barré syndrome following alemtuzumab. The medical community should be aware of unusual and unexpected adverse events that may be associated with alemtuzumab, especially when occurring simultaneously in the same patient.

Case Report: Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy Following COVID-19 Vaccine.

Objectives: Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) is a rare neurological disorder arising from a para- or post-infectious "cytokine storm. "It has recently been reported in association with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection.

Methods: A 56-year-old male with a diagnosis of ANE 48 h following the first dose of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination was investigated.

SARS-CoV-2 and Multiple Sclerosis: Potential for Disease Exacerbation.

While the respiratory tract is the primary route of entry for SARS-CoV-2, evidence shows that the virus also impacts the central nervous system. Intriguingly, case reports have documented SARS-CoV-2 patients presenting with demyelinating lesions in the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve, suggesting possible implications in neuroimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and other related neuroimmune disorders. However, the cellular mechanisms underpinning these observations remain poorly defined.

Male sex chromosomal complement exacerbates the pathogenicity of Th17 cells in a chronic model of central nervous system autoimmunity.

Sex differences in multiple sclerosis (MS) incidence and severity have long been recognized. However, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms for why male sex is associated with more aggressive disease remain poorly defined. Using a T cell adoptive transfer model of chronic experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), we find that male Th17 cells induce disease of increased severity relative to female Th17 cells, irrespective of whether transferred to male or female recipients.

MS arising during Tocilizumab therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Interleukin-6 (IL6) blockage is a treatment strategy used in many inflammatory conditions. Trials in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) are ongoing. Secondary auto-immunity affecting the central nervous system (CNS) is well described with some biologic agents, mainly tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibitors.

Neurocognitive changes in tertiary neurosyphilis: a retrospective chart review.

Context: Since the beginning of the new millennium, prevalence of syphilis has re-increased and is once again, a major public health problem. Neurosyphilis is the extension of syphilitic infection to the nervous system. It is considered by many as a cause of reversible dementia, when treated early.

Exome sequencing revealed PMM2 gene mutations in a French-Canadian family with congenital atrophy of the cerebellum.

Two affected and one unaffected siblings from a French-Canadian family were evaluated in our neurogenetic clinic. The oldest brother had intentional and postural hand tremor while his youngest sister presented mild ataxia, a similar hand tremor and global developmental delay. Brain MRIs of the two affected family members further revealed a significant cerebellar atrophy.