MS and COVID-19 challenge: asymptomatic COVID-19 infection during treatment with cladribine

Seferoglu M., Ethemoglu O., TURAN Ö. F., SİVA A.

NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES, cilt.42, sa.9, ss.3533-3535, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 42 Sayı: 9
  • Basım Tarihi: 2021
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s10072-021-05409-6
  • Dergi Adı: NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, BIOSIS, CINAHL, EMBASE, Index Islamicus, MEDLINE, Psycinfo
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.3533-3535
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Cladribine, COVID-19, Multiple sclerosis, SARS-CoV-2 antibody response
  • Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Background The use of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) may affect COVID-19 infection outcomes due to DMTs' immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive effects on immune response. The yet unknown issues are both the early response to the infection, as well as the post-infection development of immunity against the virus under these treatments due to their interaction with the immune system. Methods We report two asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) shortly after starting cladribine therapy, both developed anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody response. Results Patients with MS who are under newly initiated treatment with cladribine tablets may experience an asymptomatic COVID-19 infection and they may develop immunity against SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion These observations raise the probability that DMTs with immunosuppressive effects, such as cladribine, may be considered as a treatment option for selected MS patients with high disease activity during the COVID-19 pandemic.