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Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders Jun 2021Spinal cord complications associated with coronavirus infectious disease of 2019 (COVID-19) are being widely reported. The purpose of this systematic review was to...
BACKGROUND
Spinal cord complications associated with coronavirus infectious disease of 2019 (COVID-19) are being widely reported. The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize so far available pieces of evidence documenting de novo novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) mediated spinal cord demyelinating diseases. Indeed, the spinal demyelinating disorders that have been reported in those patients who have suffered from COVID-19 rather than on the people already living with diagnosed or undiagnosed primary demyelinating disorders.
METHODS
We used the existing PRISMA consensus statement. Data were collected from PubMed, NIH Litcovid, EMBASE and Cochrane library databases, as well as Pre-print servers (medRxiv, bioRxiv, and pre-preints.org), until September 10, 2020, using pre-specified searching strategies.
RESULTS
The 21 selected articles were all case reports and included 11 (52%) men and 10 (48%) women. The mean age was of 46.7 ± 18.0. The neurological manifestations included weakness, sensory deficit, autonomic dysfunction and ataxia. In most cases, elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein as well as lymphocytic pleocytosis were found. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in five (24%) patients, meanwhile in 13 (62%) patients, the testing was negative. Testing was not performed in two cases and, in one, data were unavailable. Nearly half of the cases (N = 9) were associated with isolated long extensive transverse myelitis (LETM), whereas a combination of both LETM and patchy involvement was found in two. Only five patients had isolated short segment involvement and two patchy involvement. Furthermore, concomitant demyelination of both brain and spine was reported in six patients. Concerning the prognosis, most of the patients improved and the mortality rate was low (N = 2, <10%).
CONCLUSION
Spinal cord demyelination should be added to the plethora of immune mediated neurologic complications associated with COVID-19.
Topics: COVID-19; Communicable Diseases; Female; Humans; Male; Nervous System Diseases; SARS-CoV-2; Spinal Cord
PubMed: 33845350
DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2021.102917 -
Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine Apr 2021To evaluate and assess the effectiveness of muscle strengthening and cardiovascular interventions in improving outcomes in poliomyelitis (polio) survivors. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate and assess the effectiveness of muscle strengthening and cardiovascular interventions in improving outcomes in poliomyelitis (polio) survivors.
DATA SOURCES
A systematic literature search was conducted in Medline, PubMed, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for experimental and observational studies. Study selection and extraction: Screening, data-extraction, risk of bias and quality assessment were carried out independently by the authors. The quality appraisal and risk of bias were assessed using the Downs and Black Checklist. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement was followed to increase clarity of reporting.
DATA SYNTHESIS
A total of 21 studies that met all the inclusion criteria were subjected to statistical analyses according to intervention (muscle strengthening or cardiovascular fitness). A random-effects meta-analysis showed a statistically significant effect for the exercise interventions favouring improvement in outcomes according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).
CONCLUSION
This review provides further insight into the effects associated with muscle strengthening and cardiovascular interventions among polio survivors, and helps to further identify the current state of research in this area. Future research is needed, focusing on individualized approaches to exercise with polio survivors and specific exercise prescription recommendations, based on established frameworks, such as the ICF.
Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Exercise Therapy; Female; Humans; Male; Muscle Strength; Poliomyelitis; Survivors
PubMed: 33876251
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2832 -
Vaccine Nov 2012Poliomyelitis is nearing universal eradication; in 2011, there were 650 cases reported globally. When wild polio is eradicated, global oral polio vaccine (OPV) cessation... (Review)
Review
Poliomyelitis is nearing universal eradication; in 2011, there were 650 cases reported globally. When wild polio is eradicated, global oral polio vaccine (OPV) cessation followed by use of universal inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) is believed to be the safest vaccination strategy as IPV does not mutate or run the risk of vaccine derived outbreaks that OPV does. However, IPV is significantly more expensive than OPV. One strategy to make IPV more affordable is to reduce the dose by adding adjuvants, compounds that augment the immune response to the vaccine. No adjuvants are currently utilized in stand-alone IPV; however, several have been explored over the past six decades. From aluminum, used in many licensed vaccines, to newer and more experimental adjuvants such as synthetic DNA, a diverse group of compounds has been assessed with varying strengths and weaknesses. This review summarizes the studies to date evaluating the efficacy and safety of adjuvants used with IPV.
Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Disease Eradication; Humans; Poliomyelitis; Poliovirus Vaccine, Inactivated
PubMed: 23041122
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2012.09.059 -
The Journal of Infectious Diseases Feb 2022Pertussis, diphtheria, and tetanus (DTP)-containing vaccines combined with polio vaccines are recommended by the World Health Organization as part of routine... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Pertussis, diphtheria, and tetanus (DTP)-containing vaccines combined with polio vaccines are recommended by the World Health Organization as part of routine immunization programs. The decline of immunity after vaccination has been considered as a possible reason for the reemergence of vaccine-preventable diseases worldwide. In this study, we evaluated the potential duration of protective immunity of pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus, and polio through a systematic review and meta-analysis. We examined data on immunological and clinical outcomes. We observed evidence of waning postvaccination immunity for pertussis and diphtheria, whereas tetanus and polio vaccines provided sustained protection. Further research on the risk factors of waning immunity after vaccination and the optimal timing of booster doses for pertussis and diphtheria is needed.
Topics: Antibodies, Bacterial; Diphtheria; Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine; Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis Vaccines; Humans; Immunization, Secondary; Poliomyelitis; Tetanus; Vaccination; Vaccines, Combined; Whooping Cough
PubMed: 34543411
DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab480 -
Protein and Peptide Letters 2017Backgroud: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder, which is characterized by severe attacks of optic neuritis and myelitis. Antibodies (Ab) to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
UNLABELLED
Backgroud: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder, which is characterized by severe attacks of optic neuritis and myelitis. Antibodies (Ab) to aquaporin-4 (AQP4) (or NMO-IgG) as a serological biomarker of NMO have been widespread used. Nevertheless, some NMO patients remain seronegative for AQP4-Ab and/or have no detected optic nerve involvement. In addition, no consensus exists on the association between AQP4-Ab serostatus and visual outcome in NMO. To drive a more precise estimate of this postulated relationship, a metaanalysis was performed based on existing relevant studies.
METHODS
Studies were searched by PubMed and MEDLINE up to March 2016. Study quality was assessed, and meta-analysis was conducted using the RevMan 5.1. Odds ratios with 95% confidence interval were calculated and funnel plot was applied to assess the potential publication bias.
RESULTS
In a total of 1288 relevant studies, 18 studies satisfied the eligibility criteria and were included in the systemic review. Only 9 studies appeared eligible for the meta-analysis, together including 624 AQP4-Ab-positive and 119 AQP4-Ab-negative NMO patients. The results revealed associations between AQP4-Ab seropositivity and visual impairment in NMO (OR, 3.16; 95% CI, 1.09, 9.19; P = 0.03). The results of subgroup analyses based on different methods of AQP-4 detection also showed significantly differences between AQP4-Ab seropositivity and visual impairment in NMO, especially in CBA subgroup.
CONCLUSION
This meta-analysis indicates that AQP4-Ab serostatus has the positive with poor visual outcome in NMO.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aquaporin 4; Autoantibodies; Biomarkers; Cohort Studies; Female; Gene Expression; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Male; Middle Aged; Neuromyelitis Optica; Severity of Illness Index
PubMed: 28071581
DOI: 10.2174/0929866524666170110150436 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2017Non-traumatic myelopathy is common in Africa and there are geographic differences in etiology. Clinical management is challenging due to the broad differential diagnosis... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Non-traumatic myelopathy is common in Africa and there are geographic differences in etiology. Clinical management is challenging due to the broad differential diagnosis and the lack of diagnostics. The objective of this systematic review is to determine the most common etiologies of non-traumatic myelopathy in sub-Saharan Africa to inform a regionally appropriate diagnostic algorithm.
METHODS
We conducted a systemic review searching Medline and Embase databases using the following search terms: "Non traumatic spinal cord injury" or "myelopathy" with limitations to epidemiology or etiologies and Sub-Saharan Africa. We described the frequencies of the different etiologies and proposed a diagnostic algorithm based on the most common diagnoses.
RESULTS
We identified 19 studies all performed at tertiary institutions; 15 were retrospective and 13 were published in the era of the HIV epidemic. Compressive bone lesions accounted for more than 48% of the cases; a majority were Pott's disease and metastatic disease. No diagnosis was identified in up to 30% of cases in most studies; in particular, definitive diagnoses of non-compressive lesions were rare and a majority were clinical diagnoses of transverse myelitis and HIV myelopathy. Age and HIV were major determinants of etiology.
CONCLUSION
Compressive myelopathies represent a majority of non-traumatic myelopathies in sub-Saharan Africa, and most were due to Pott's disease. Non-compressive myelopathies have not been well defined and need further research in Africa. We recommend a standardized approach to management of non-traumatic myelopathy focused on identifying treatable conditions with tests widely available in low-resource settings.
PubMed: 29375458
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00618 -
Vaccine Mar 2015Vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPVs), strains of poliovirus mutated from the oral polio vaccine, pose a challenge to global polio eradication. Immunodeficiency-related... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPVs), strains of poliovirus mutated from the oral polio vaccine, pose a challenge to global polio eradication. Immunodeficiency-related vaccine-derived polioviruses (iVDPVs) are a type of VDPV which may serve as sources of poliovirus reintroduction after the eradication of wild-type poliovirus. This review is a comprehensive update of confirmed iVDPV cases published in the scientific literature from 1962 to 2012, and describes clinically relevant trends in reported iVDPV cases worldwide.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review of published iVDPV case reports from January 1960 to November 2012 from four databases. We included cases in which the patient had a primary immunodeficiency, and the vaccine virus isolated from the patient either met the sequencing definition of VDPV (>1% divergence for serotypes 1 and 3 and >0.6% for serotype 2) and/or was previously reported as an iVDPV by the World Health Organization.
RESULTS
We identified 68 iVDPV cases in 49 manuscripts reported from 25 countries and the Palestinian territories. 62% of case patients were male, 78% presented clinically with acute flaccid paralysis, and 65% were iVDPV2. 57% of cases occurred in patients with predominantly antibody immunodeficiencies, and the overall all-cause mortality rate was greater than 60%. The median age at case detection was 1.4 years [IQR: 0.8, 4.5] and the median duration of shedding was 1.3 years [IQR: 0.7, 2.2]. We identified a poliovirus genome VP1 region mutation rate of 0.72% per year and a higher median percent divergence for iVDPV1 cases. More cases were reported from high income countries, which also had a larger age variation and different distribution of immunodeficiencies compared to upper and lower middle-income countries.
CONCLUSION
Our study describes the incidence and characteristics of global iVDPV cases reported in the literature in the past five decades. It also highlights the regional and economic disparities of reported iVDPV cases.
Topics: Capsid Proteins; Disease Eradication; Female; Humans; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes; Male; Mutation Rate; Poliomyelitis; Poliovirus; Poliovirus Vaccine, Oral; Vaccination
PubMed: 25600519
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.01.018 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2022Vaccinations provided the most effective tool to fight the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. It is now well established that COVID-19 vaccines are safe for the general population;...
BACKGROUND
Vaccinations provided the most effective tool to fight the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. It is now well established that COVID-19 vaccines are safe for the general population; however, some cases of rare adverse events following immunization have been described, including CNS Inflammatory Demyelinating Events (CIDEs). Although observational studies are showing that these events are rare and vaccines' benefits highly outweigh the risks, collecting and characterizing post-COVID-19 vaccine CIDEs might be relevant to single out potential risk factors and suggest possible underlying mechanisms.
METHODS
Here we describe six CIDEs, including two acute transverse myelitis (ATM), three multiple sclerosis (MS), and one neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), occurring between 8 and 35 days from a COVID-19 vaccine. Moreover, we performed a systematic literature search of post-COVID-19 vaccines CIDEs, including ATM, ADEM, MS, and NMOSD/MOGAD, published worldwide between December 2020 and December 2021, during 1 year of the vaccination campaign. Clinical/MRI and CSF/serum characteristics were extracted from reviewed studies and pooled-analyzed.
RESULTS
Forty-nine studies were included in the systematic review, reporting a total amount of 85 CIDEs. Considering our additional six cases, 91 CIDEs were summarized, including 24 ATM, 11 ADEM, 47 MS, and nine NMOSD/MOGAD. Overall, CIDEs occurred after both mRNA ( = 46), adenoviral-vectored ( = 37), and inactivated vaccines ( = 8). Adenoviral-vectored vaccines accounted for the majority of ADEM (55%) and NMOSD/MOGAD (56%), while mRNA vaccines were more frequent in MS new diagnoses (87%) and relapses (56%). Age was heterogeneous (19-88) and the female sex was prevalent. Time from vaccine to symptoms onset was notably variable: ADEM and NMOSD/MOGAD had a longer median time of onset (12.5 and 10 days) compared to ATM and MS (6 and 7 days) and further timing differences were observed between events following different vaccine types, with ATM and MS after mRNA-vaccines occurring earlier than those following adenoviral-vectored ones.
CONCLUSION
Both the prevalence of vaccine types for certain CIDEs and the heterogeneity in time of onset suggest that different mechanisms-with distinct dynamic/kinetic-might underly these events. While epidemiological studies have assessed the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, descriptions and pooled analyses of sporadic cases may still be valuable to gain insights into CIDE's pathophysiology.
PubMed: 36530641
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1018785 -
Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders Jul 2023Vaccination in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) is challenging because there is a concern that vaccines can lead to clinical attacks.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Vaccination in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) is challenging because there is a concern that vaccines can lead to clinical attacks. However, little is known about the risk and the characteristics of attacks occurring after vaccination.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis using PubMed and Embase databases to estimate a summary frequency of attacks occurring after vaccination and describe the clinical features of theses attacks. We defined attacks occurring after vaccination as typical NMOSD attacks that occurred up to 30 days after vaccine administration. For the frequency of attacks occurring after vaccination, we selected observational studies that reported the number of attacks and total number of patients that received vaccines; for the clinical description of the attacks, case reports and case series were also included.
RESULTS
We included 377 participants from 5 studies to estimate the frequency of NMOSD attacks occurring after vaccination. We found a summary frequency of of 2% (95% CI 1-4%, I = 0%). We evaluated 17 studies to identify that 13 different vaccines were associated with NMOSD attacks. A higher-than-expected proportion of males, simultaneous optic neuritis and transverse myelitis attacks, and anti-aquaporin 4 antibody negative cases were identified in vaccine-associated attacks from 24 participants from 17 studies. Nearly two-thirds of attacks occurring after vaccination were an initial event of NMOSD.
CONCLUSION
The frequency of NMOSD attacks occurring after vaccination is low and non-specific to different vaccine technologies. Our work reinforces the safety of vaccine recommendations in patients with NMOSD.
Topics: Male; Humans; Neuromyelitis Optica; Myelitis, Transverse; Optic Neuritis; Vaccination; Vaccines; Autoantibodies
PubMed: 37182477
DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.104741 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Feb 2011Postpolio syndrome (PPS) may affect survivors of paralytic poliomyelitis and is characterised by a complex of neuromuscular symptoms leading to a decline in physical... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Postpolio syndrome (PPS) may affect survivors of paralytic poliomyelitis and is characterised by a complex of neuromuscular symptoms leading to a decline in physical functioning. The effectiveness of pharmacological treatment and rehabilitation management in PPS is not yet established.
OBJECTIVES
To review systematically the effects of any treatment for PPS compared to placebo, usual care or no treatment.
SEARCH STRATEGY
We searched the following databases on 1 October 2010: Cochrane Neuromuscular Disease Group Specialized Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and CINAHL Plus from inception to September 2010.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised and quasi-randomised trials of any form of pharmacological or non-pharmacological treatment for people with PPS. The primary outcome was self-perceived activity limitations and secondary outcomes were muscle strength, muscle endurance, fatigue, pain and adverse events.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two authors independently selected eligible studies, assessed risk of bias and extracted data.
MAIN RESULTS
Nine pharmacological (modafinil, intravenous immunoglobulin, pyridostigmine, lamotrigine, amantadine, prednisone) and three non-pharmacological (muscle strengthening, rehabilitation in a warm climate (i.e. temperature ± 25°C, dry and sunny) and a cold climate (i.e. temperature ± 0°C, rainy or snowy), static magnetic fields) studies were included in this review. None of the included studies was completely free from any risk of bias and the most prevalent risk of bias was lack of blinding.There is moderate quality evidence that intravenous immunoglobulin has no beneficial effect on activity limitations and there is inconsistency in the evidence for effectiveness on muscle strength and pain. Results of one trial provide very low quality evidence that lamotrigine might be effective in reducing pain and fatigue, resulting in fewer activity limitations. Data from two single trials suggest that muscle strengthening of thumb muscles (very low quality evidence) and static magnetic fields (moderate quality evidence) are beneficial for improving muscle strength and pain, respectively, with unknown effects on activity limitations. Finally, there is evidence varying from very low quality to high quality that modafinil, pyridostigmine, amantadine, prednisone and rehabilitation in a warm or cold climate are not beneficial in PPS.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Due to insufficient good quality data and lack of randomised studies it is impossible to draw definite conclusions on the effectiveness of interventions for PPS. Results indicate that IVIG, lamotrigine, muscle strengthening exercises and static magnetic fields may be beneficial but need further investigation.
Topics: Cold Temperature; Exercise Therapy; Hot Temperature; Humans; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; Lamotrigine; Muscle Fatigue; Muscle Strength; Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Triazines
PubMed: 21328301
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007818.pub2