Assessment of potential adverse events following the 2022-2023 seasonal influenza vaccines among U.S. adults aged 65 years and older.

BACKGROUND: While safety of influenza vaccines is well-established, some studies have suggested potential associations between influenza vaccines and certain adverse events (AEs). This study examined the safety of the 2022-2023 influenza vaccines among U.S. adults ≥ 65 years. METHODS: A self-controlled case series compared incidence rates of anaphylaxis, encephalitis/encephalomyelitis, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), and transverse myelitis following 2022-2023 seasonal influenza vaccinations (i.e., any, high-dose or adjuvanted) in risk and control intervals among Medicare beneficiaries ≥ 65 years. We used conditional Poisson regression to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) adjusted for event-dependent observation time and seasonality. Analyses also accounted for uncertainty from outcome misclassification where feasible. For AEs with any statistically significant associations, we stratified results by concomitant vaccination status. RESULTS: Among 12.7 million vaccine recipients, we observed 76 anaphylaxis, 276 encephalitis/encephalomyelitis, 134 GBS and 75 transverse myelitis cases. Only rates of anaphylaxis were elevated in risk compared to control intervals. With all adjustments, an elevated, but non-statistically significant, anaphylaxis rate was observed following any (IRR: 2.40, 95% CI: 0.96-6.03), high-dose (IRR: 2.31, 95% CI: 0.67-7.91), and adjuvanted (IRR: 3.28, 95% CI: 0.71-15.08) influenza vaccination; anaphylaxis IRRs were 2.54 (95% CI: 0.49-13.05) and 1.64 (95% CI: 0.38-7.05) for persons with and without concomitant vaccination, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Rates of encephalitis/encephalomyelitis, GBS, or transverse myelitis were not elevated following 2022-2023 seasonal influenza vaccinations among U.S. adults ≥ 65 years. There was an increased rate of anaphylaxis following influenza vaccination that may have been influenced by concomitant vaccination.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging/cerebrospinal Fluid-negative Myelitis Following COVID-19 with a Dramatic Response to Early Aggressive Immunosuppressive Therapy.

A 57-year-old man presented with subacute-onset paraparesis, bilateral dysesthesia in his lower extremities, and bladder/bowel disturbance six weeks after being infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection [coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)]. A neurological examination suggested transverse myelitis at the level of the lower thoracic spinal cord. However, repeated spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed no abnormalities in the spinal cord. Laboratory and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests ruled out other etiologies of myelitis, eventually suggesting COVID-19-associated myelitis. Aggressive immunosuppressive therapy, started soon after hospitalization, dramatically improved his symptoms. Early aggressive immunosuppressive therapy should therefore be considered in cases of MRI/CSF-negative myelitis associated with COVID-19.

A report on neurogenic bladder in COVID-19 vaccine-associated acute transverse myelitis.

INTRODUCTION: Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) is a rare neurological complication of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines. Various vaccines have been linked to ATM, such as non-replicating viral vectors, ribonucleic acid, and inactivated vaccines. An ATM case is presented here involving the BNT162b2 vaccine leading to asymmetrical incomplete paraplegia and neurogenic bladder. CASE PRESENTATION: A 66-year-old male developed urinary retention one day after his second dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine, followed by rapidly progressing lower limb weakness. Clinical examination showed asymmetrical paraparesis, reduced sensation below the T8 level, including perianal sensation, and loss of ankle and anal reflexes. Laboratory tests were largely unremarkable, while the spine MRI revealed thickened conus medullaris with a mild increase in T2/STIR signal intensity and subtle enhancement post gadolinium. Following treatment with methylprednisolone, plasmapheresis, and immunoglobulin, and a rehabilitation program, the patient achieved good motor and sensory recovery, but the bladder dysfunction persisted. Single-channel cystometry indicated neurogenic detrusor underactivity and reduced bladder sensation, as evidenced by low-pressure and compliant bladder. The urethral sphincter appeared intact or overactive. The post-void residual urine was significant, necessitating prolonged intermittent catheterisation. DISCUSSION: Bladder dysfunction due to the COVID-19 vaccine-associated ATM is not as commonly reported as motor or sensory deficits. To our knowledge, this is the first case to highlight a neurogenic bladder that necessitates prolonged intermittent catheterisation as a consequence of COVID-19 vaccine-associated ATM. This report highlights the rare complication of the neurogenic bladder resulting from the BNT162b2 vaccine. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent long-term complications.

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and transverse myelitis following COVID-19 vaccination - A self-controlled case series analysis.

Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM) and Transverse Myelitis (TM) are within the group of immune mediated disorders of acquired demyelinating syndromes. Both have been described in temporal association following various vaccinations in case reports and case series and have been evaluated in observational studies. A recent analysis conducted by The Global Vaccine Data Network (GVDN) observed an excess of ADEM and TM cases following the adenoviral vectored ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) and mRNA-1273 vaccines, compared with historically expected background rates from prior to the pandemic. Further epidemiologic studies were recommended to explore these potential associations. We utilized an Australian vaccine datalink, Vaccine Safety Health-Link (VSHL), to perform a self-controlled case series analysis for this purpose. VSHL was selected for this analysis as while VSHL data are utilised for GVDN association studies, they were not included in the GVDN observed expected analyses. The VSHL dataset contains vaccination records sourced from the Australian Immunisation Register, and hospital admission records from the Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset for 6.7 million people. These datasets were used to determine the relative incidence (RI) of G040 (ADEM) and G373 (TM) ICD-10-AM coded admissions in the 42-day risk window following COVID-19 vaccinations as compared to control periods either side of the risk window. We observed associations between ChAdOx1 adenovirus vector COVID-19 vaccination and ADEM (all dose RI: 3.74 [95 %CI 1.02,13.70]) and TM (dose 1 RI: 2.49 [95 %CI: 1.07,5.79]) incident admissions. No associations were observed between mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and ADEM or TM. These findings translate to an extremely small absolute risk of ADEM (0.78 per million doses) and TM (1.82 per million doses) following vaccination; any potential risk of ADEM or TM should be weighed against the well-established protective benefits of vaccination against COVID-19 disease and its complications. This study demonstrates the value of the GVDN collaboration leveraging large population sizes to examine important vaccine safety questions regarding rare outcomes, as well as the value of linked population level datasets, such as VSHL, to rapidly explore associations that are identified.

An atypical case of acute transverse myelitis following COVID-19 infection.

ABSTRACT: Acute transverse myelitis is a rare condition that can follow a viral infection. At least 43 cases of COVID-19 associated with acute transverse myelitis have been presented in the literature. This case review highlights one such case in a young man. Although rare, acute transverse myelitis following COVID-19 can cause significant disability for patients. Clinicians must be equipped and encouraged to report and study cases of neurologic complications following COVID-19 infection to develop further treatment and cure.

Mielitis transversa aguda en un viajero / Acute transverse myelitis in a traveler

La mielitis transversa aguda se define como un trastorno neuroinmune adquirido de la medula espinal, que ocurre como consecuencia de un evento primario o relacionado a enfermedades inflamatorias autoinmunes, infecciosas o post infecciosas. Entre los agentes etiológicos infecciosos se destaca Borrelia spp., antropozoonosis transmitida por garrapatas de la familia ixodidae. Los pacientes con enfermedad de Lyme desarrollan, entre un 10 a un 15%, manifestaciones neurológicas. El espectro clínico suele ser variado e incierto. Entre las manifestaciones clínicas de la neuroborreliosis de Lyme, la mielitis transversa aguda ha sido reportada entre el 4 al 5%. Se describe el caso de un viajero proveniente de zona endémica de enfermedad de Lyme con encefalomielitis secundaria a infección aguda por Borrelia burgdorferi que presentó resolución completa de los síntomas luego de finalizar el tratamiento antibiótico.

Acute transverse myelitis is defined as an acquired neuroimmune disorder of the spinal cord, which occurs as a consequence of a primary event, or directly related to an autoimmune inflammatory disease, an infectious or post-infectious disease. Amongst infectious etiologies, Borrelia spp., a tick-bourne anthropozoonosis of the ixodidae family, prevails. Approximately 10 to 15% of patients with Lyme disease undergo neurologic manifestations, with an assorted and uncertain array of clinical syndromes. Transverse myelitis accounts for up to 5% of Lyme neuroborreliosis. We describe the case of a traveler from endemic zone for Lyme disease, with encephalomyelitis secondary to acute infection by Borrelia burgderfori, with complete resolution of symptoms after concluding adequate antibiotic treatment.

Postpartum complicated by transverse myelitis / Postparto complicado por mielitis transversa

Transverse myelitis is a very rare neurological condition associated with immunologic and infectious conditions causing interruption of the neuroanatomical pathways in a transverse plane in the spinal cord. Herein is described the fatal case of a patient that developed transverse myelitis after a Caesarean delivery, probably related to the epidural analgesia.

La mielitis transversa es un trastorno neurológico poco común, asociado con problemas inmunológicos e infecciosos que causan interrupciones de las vías neuroanatómicas en el plano transversal de la médula espinal. Aquí se describe el caso fatal de una paciente que desarrolló mielitis transversal luego de un parto con cesárea, probablemente en relación con la anestesia epidural.

Mielitis transversa relacionada con vacunación anti-influenza A(H1N1) / Transverse myelitis associated with anti-influenza A (H1N1) vaccination

La mielitis transversa es una enfermedad inflamatoria que se caracteriza por disfunción de la médula espinal. Las causas reconocidas de mielitis transversa son autoinmunes, enfermedades desmielinizantes, post infecciosas y post vacunales, aunque hasta el 50% de los casos son idiopáticas. Las vacunas contra la rubéola, paperas, rabia y gripe estacional han sido asociadas a diversos trastornos neurológicos, como el Síndrome de Guillain Barré, la encefalomielitis diseminada aguda (ADEM) y la mielitis transversa. Como mecanismo preventivo luego de la pandemia de 2009, en febrero del año 2010 se inició en nuestro país la campaña de vacunación contra la Influenza A (H1N1). Se presenta el caso de una paciente con hipoestesias que aparecieron cuatro días después de haber recibido la vacuna monovalente anti-influenza A (H1N1) y progresaron con evidente nivel sensitivo. La paciente cumplía criterios diagnósticos de mielitis transversa, según el Transverse Myelitis Consortium Working Group. Tuvo remisión de las imágenes de la resonancia magnética y estabilidad clínica sin tratamiento con corticoides. Se discuten aspectos diagnósticos, pronósticos y terapéuticos de esta entidad clínica.

Transverse myelitis is an inflammatory disorder characterized by spinal cord dysfunction. Infectious, autoimmune, postinfectious and postvaccination diseases are the most common recognized causes of transverse myelitis, but near 50% of the cases are finally assumed as idiopathic. Rubeolla, mumps, rabies and influenza vaccines were associated with many neurologic complications, such as Guillain Barré Syndrome, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) and transverse myelitis. As a prevention measure after the 2009 pandemia, in February 2010 a National Campaigne of Vaccination against the Influenza A (H1N1) was started in our country. We report a case of a woman who received a monovalent Influenza A (H1N1) vaccine and four days after, began with sensory symptoms that progressed to a clear defined sensory level. She reached the clinical criteria of transverse myelitis, according to the Transverse Myelitis Consortium Working Group. One month later, the patient remained clinically stable and the MRI showed an improvement of the image without corticosteroids treatment. We discuss diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic aspects of this clinical entity.

Transverse myelitis associated to HCV infection

Complications involving the central nervous system in patients suffering from hepatitis C virus (HCV) infectionhave been rare. Among them, it appears the transverse myelitis, which has already been reported in likely association with HCV. This paper presents the case study of a 65-year-old woman who developed cervical transverse myelitis linked to chronic HCV infection and anti-HCV antibodies in the spinal fluid, being excluded other etiologies for transverse myelitis. Current evidence has reinforced the likely association between chronic HCV infection and transverse myelitis, especially as recurrent manifestations of the disease. These findings reveal the need for more searching to establish the causal relationship between transverse myelitis and hepatitis C.

Mielopatía necrotizante subaguda asociada a lupus eritematoso sistémico: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Subacute necrotizing myelopathy associated to SLE: case report and review of literature

Las mielopatías agudas representan un grupo heterogéneo de enfermedades, de distintas etiologías, hallazgos clínicos y radiológicos diferentes, y particular pronóstico. La Mielitis transversa (MT), es el prototipo del grupo, en el cual, un proceso inmunitario causa el daño neural en la médula espinal, resultando en varios grados de paresia, alteraciones sensitivas, y disfunción autonómica. La MT puede existir como parte de una enfermedad del Sistema nervioso Central multifocal (Esclerosis múltiple) enfermedad multisistémica (Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico), o aislada, como una entidad idiopática. En este artículo, presentamos un caso clínico, y revisamos recientes esquemas diagnósticos, que permiten sistematizar el diagnóstico y tratamiento de los pacientes con mielopatía aguda. Adicionalmente, resumimos el estado actual del conocimiento acerca de la epidemiología, historia natural de la enfermedad, inmunopatogénesis, y estrategias terapéuticas para pacientes con Mielitis transversa. El conocimiento actual sobre la clasificación, diagnóstico, patogénesis y tratamiento de la Mielitis Transversa, ha sufrido recientemente cambios y nuevos aportes, especialmente con el desarrollo de la neuroinmunopatología. Actualmente podemos iniciar tratamientos oportunos para muchos de éstos pacientes, y mejorar el pronóstico a largo plazo de ésta rara, pero discapacitante noxa.

Mielitis transversa aguda / Acute tranverse myelitis

La mielitis transversa aguda se clasifica dentro de las leucomielopatías agudas, siendo una de las enfermedades desmielinizantes inflamatorias de más difícil diagnóstico y de pronóstico reservado debido a la gravedad del daño producido y sus secuelas funcionales. En esta patología, la conducción de los impulsos nerviosos ascendentes medulares resulta totalmente bloqueada en uno o más segmentos, pudiendo llevar a una parálisis sensitivo motora y autonómica con pérdida de control intestinal y vesical. Su etiología se desconoce, pero alrededor del 30 al 50 por ciento de los casos aparecen tras enfermedades virales inespecíficas y es más frecuente en pacientes menores de 40 años; también puede ser expresión de un brote de esclerosis múltiple o asociarse a ciertas infecciones bacterianas, como reacción ante vacunas o aparecer en adictos a drogas por vía intravenosa. Otras causas descritas son fármacos, como la sulfasalazina; las neoplasias, como el linfoma de células B y la leucemia mielomonocítica y paraneoplásica, fundamentalmente secundaria a carcinoma broncogénico. Las investigaciones avalan que la fisiopatología del cuadro es producto de una reacción inflamatoria de carácter autoinmune desencadenada por estas situaciones. El diagnóstico y el tratamiento oportuno favorecen la total recuperación de los síntomas. Sin embargo, es habitual que, frente al desconocimiento de la enfermedad y a la inoportuna consulta al especialista, personas jóvenes y económicamente productivas, queden gravemente secueladas. Por otro lado, la nula rehabilitación de los pacientes a nivel de la salud pública hace que el pronóstico sea aún más desfavorable.

Paresias Infantiles Agudas / Infantile Acute Paresias

Se presenta un estudio descriptivo de casos de Paresia Infantiles Agudas (PIA) en el Hospital Universitario Ramón González Valencia (HURGV) en la década de 1985-1994 en niños menores de 12 años. Se registraron 104 casos de PIA, con diagnóstico de egreso: 39 síndromes de Guillain Barré, 21 cerebelitis, 18 hemiplejías infantiles agudas, seis poliomielitis, cinco traumas raquimedulares, cinco tumores, cuatro miositis, tres transtornos psicosomáticos, dos mielitis transversa y una neuritis postinyección intramuscular; distribuidos en grupos etáreos de diez lactantes, 38preescolares, 56 escolares; con una distribución por sexo: Masculino 60, femenino 44. El promedio de estancia fue 24.7 días, la mayoría procedentes del área metropolitana de Bucaramanga. El líquido cefalorraquídeo ayudó al diagnóstico en los casos de Guillain Barré y polio, la mielotomografía en tumores compresivos medulares y la tomografía computarizada cerebral en hemipares infantil aguda y cerebelitis. La evolución final fue buena en la mayoría de los pacientes, se presentaron complicaciones en 18 pacientes y uno falleció con diagnóstico de Guillain Barré por broncoaspiración. El objetivo general del estudio fue determinar y analizar las causas de PIS en el HURGV de Bucaramanga en la última década, permitiendo conocer estadísticas propias de nuestra región acerca de las causas de PIA y a la vez elaborar un protocolo para el enfoque del diagnóstico diferencial precoz de estas patologías

Mielite transversa como manifestaçäo clínica inicial de linfoma näo Hodgkin disseminado e mielopatia vacuolar associada ao HIV: relato de caso / Transverse myelitis as initial symptom of disseminated non-Hodgkin lymphoma and HIV-associated vacuolar myelopathy: case report

Linfomas näo Hodgkin de alto grau sao comumente relatados em pacientes com a síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida (AIDS). Comprometendo com grande frequência o sistema nervoso central, particularmente as leptomeninges e os hemisférios cerebrais. O acometimento epidural é pouco frequente, variando de 3,5 por cento a 8,3 por cento de acordo com os registros da literatura. Os autores relatam o caso de um paciente de 27 anos de idade com AIDS, cuja manifestaçao clínica inicial da doença linfomatosa disseminada foi a mielite transversa associada à mielopatia vacuolar. Destaca-se a importância do diagnóstico diferencial precoce das mielopatias na AIDS, em virtude da alta malignidade da neoplasia e da evoluçao extremamente rápida nesses pacientes.

Paracoccidioidomicose evidenciando comprometimento medular tratada com sucesso por fluconazol / Paracoccidioidomycosis evidencing spinal cord involvement treated with success by fluconazol

O envolvimento do sistema nervoso central na paracoccidioidomicose tem sido raramente descrito na literatura e sua frequência varia de 9,99 por cento a 27,27 por cento, manifestando-se basicamente sob duas formas clínicas: meningea e pseudotumoral (abscesso, granulomas, nódulos ou cistos). O Paracoccidioides brasiliensis incide principalmente nos hemisférios cerebrais, podendo acometer ainda cerebelo, ponte, bulbo, meninges cerebrais e raquidianas, sendo excepcional o comprometimento do parênquima medular. Os autores apresentam o caso de um paciente com paracoccidioidomicose com evidências clínicas de comprometimento medular, comprovada por exames complementares indiretos pouco invasivos. Destacam a resposta terapêutica inédita a novo agente antifúngico bistriazólico, fluconazol, pela primeira vez utilizado nesta forma de apresentaçäo clínica da doença. Salientam a rariedade do comprometimento medular, o diagnóstico através de propedêutica cirúrgica e a excelente resposta a este novo tratamento

Mielitis transversa y lupus eritematoso sistémico: presentación de un caso / Transverse myelitis and systemic lupus erythematosus: report of a case

Se presenta el caso de un paciente de 32 años portador de lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES), tardíamente diagnosticado, que desarrolló una mielitis transversa de brusca instalación. Esta ampliación fue precedida en horas por un único trastorno neurológico, consistente en un nistagmus universal (horizontal, vertical y rotatorio). El cuadro neurológico fue acompañado por un síndrome renal, expresado por un sedimiento nefrítico con escasa repercusión funcional. El paciente fue tratado con una combinación de alta dosis de metilprednisona y ciclofosfamida. Se obtuvo remisión del compromiso central y renal, no logrando revertir su paraplejía, que se transformó en definitiva. Se revisan los 46 casos publicados hasta la fecha de mielitis transversa y LES en cuanto a métodos diagnósticos, tratamiento y resultados y se comparan con nuestro caso, con las conclusiones correspondientes