Objective: Ocrelizumab (OCR) is a monoclonal antibody directed at B-cells that is FDA approved for treatment of RRMS and PPMS. Prior studies have raised concerns about patients' ability to form antibodies in response to various antigens, especially SARS-CoV-2. The objective of this study is to determine whether OCR attenuates the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 in patients with MS as compared with other disease modifying therapies.
Methods: This is a case-control study looking at the odds of developing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in patients treated with OCR versus other disease modifying therapies. From May 13, 2020 through March 1, 2021, patients with a RT-PCR-confirmed infection to SARS-CoV-2 were tested for presence of antibodies and the data was recorded. Outpatients with MS at the Methodist Hospitals Comprehensive MS Center were selected who had a prior infection with COVID-19 as demonstrated by RT-PCR in the electronic health records. Odds ratios were calculated to compare rates of antibody formation with OCR exposure vs other DMT.
Results: 24 patients had evidence of COVID-19 and had antibody testing available at the time of analysis. Patients who received OCR had decreased odds of forming antibodies (OR 0.045, p = 0.011, 95% CI (0.004,0.488)).
Conclusions: Patients who received OCR within the prior 6 months of COVID-19 infection had decreased odds of developing antibodies as compared with other DMTs. This suggests that OCR may attenuate the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2. Additional studies should analyze the odds of spike protein antibody formation in response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines for patients on OCR.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2021.103014 | DOI Listing |
JMIR Public Health Surveill
January 2025
School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
Background: High response rates are needed in population-based studies, as nonresponse reduces effective sample size and bias affects accuracy and decreases the generalizability of the study findings.
Objective: We tested different strategies to improve response rate and reduce nonresponse bias in a national population-based COVID-19 surveillance program in England, United Kingdom.
Methods: Over 19 rounds, a random sample of individuals aged 5 years and older from the general population in England were invited by mail to complete a web-based questionnaire and return a swab for SARS-CoV-2 testing.
J Family Med Prim Care
December 2024
Nursing Tutor, Vardhman Mahaveer Nursing Medical College, New Delhi, India.
Background: Post-acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) syndrome (PACS) is the persistence of sequel of acute SARS-COV-2 infection. Persistent/acquired gastrointestinal symptoms (GI-PACS) include loss of appetite, nausea, weight loss, abdominal pain, heartburn, dysphagia, altered bowel motility, dyspepsia, and irritable bowel syndrome. The study aimed to assess the short- and long-term GI-PACS syndrome on the GSRS scale.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnn Thorac Surg Short Rep
December 2024
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California.
Thymomas have been associated with the generation of paraneoplastic autoantibodies to neurogenic epitopes, collapsin-response-mediator protein-5 receptor (CRMP-5) and alpha-amino-3-hydroxyl-5methyl-4isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR), in patients with acute viral infection. We report a patient with thymoma and myasthenia gravis, with SARS-CoV-2 infection, who became comatose secondary to autoimmune encephalitis. Plasmapheresis, high-dose steroids, pyridostigmine, eculizumab, and rituximab did not restore neurologic function.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStress Health
February 2025
Facultad HM de Ciencias de la Salud de la Universidad Camilo José Cela, Villafranca del Castillo, Spain.
It would be highly valuable to possess a tool for evaluating disease progression and identifying patients at risk of experiencing a more severe clinical course and potentially worse outcomes. The concept of allostatic load, which represents the overall strain on the body from repeated stress responses, has been recognized as a precursor to the development of chronic illnesses. It functions as a cumulative measure of the body's capacity to adapt to stress.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPhilos Ethics Humanit Med
January 2025
Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Central Clinical School, The Alfred Hospital, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
Background: Moral distress is reported to be a critical force contributing to intensifying rates of anxiety, depression and burnout experienced by healthcare workers. In this paper, we examine the moral dilemmas and ensuing distress personally and collectively experienced by healthcare workers while caring for patients during the pandemic.
Methods: Data are drawn from free-text responses from a cross-sectional national online survey of Australian healthcare workers about the patient care challenges they faced.
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