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MS curiosities in a curious time

August 20, 2020

The following are some of the novelties, oddities and curiosities recently published in the multiple sclerosis literature.

HSCT and COVID-19: There is a new report of four MS patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 in the 6-31 months after receiving autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (Gazca et al. Hematology 2020;25:320). Subjects (3F, 1M) were aged 39-54 years. Three contracted COVID-19 from a family member. Only 1 of 4 patients was hospitalized but did not require an ICU stay. No neurological complications of COVID-19 infection were reported. Read More

Molecular profiling of slowly expanding MS lesions

August 12, 2020

A new study has reported that the molecular and immune profile of slowly expanding lesions (SEL) in progressive multiple sclerosis is distinct from that of active demyelinating lesions that occur in the relapsing phase of MS (Jackle et al. Brain 2020;143:2073-2088; free full text at https://academic.oup.com/brain/article-pdf/143/7/2073/33502654/awaa158.pdf). SELs are considered the pathological correlate of MS disease progression.

Slide deck: COVID-19 – Epidemiology in Canada (July 29, 2020)

July 29, 2020

Summary of epidemiology, testing and mortality rate; Canada and world statistics.

Download COVID-19 slide deck

The overlooked role of T cells in the antiviral response

July 21, 2020

Recent reports on the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection have largely focussed on B cells, with particular emphasis placed on antibody testing. An antibody response can typically be detected within 15-30 days of the onset of COVID-19 symptoms but concerns have been raised about the persistence of antibodies. A U.K. study reported a rapid decline in antibody titres, with the level of neutralizing antibodies in some patients approaching baseline within two months of disease onset (Seow et al. medRxiv preprint; free download at www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.07.09.20148429v1.full.pdf). This has raised concerns about whether a COVID-19 vaccine would confer long-lasting immunity.