Alterations in pathogen-specific cellular and humoral immunity associated with acute peripheral facial palsy of infectious origin.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral facial palsy (PFP) is a common neurologic symptom which can be triggered by pathogens, autoimmunity, trauma, tumors, cholesteatoma or further local conditions disturbing the peripheral section of the nerve. In general, its cause is often difficult to identify, remaining unknown in over two thirds of cases. As we have previously shown that the quantity and quality of pathogen-specific T cells change during active infections, we hypothesized that such changes may also help to identify the causative pathogen in PFPs of unknown origin. METHODS: In this observational study, pathogen-specific T cells were quantified in blood samples of 55 patients with PFP and 23 healthy controls after stimulation with antigens from varicella-zoster virus (VZV), herpes-simplex viruses (HSV) or borrelia. T cells were further characterized by expression of the inhibitory surface molecule CTLA-4, as well as markers for differentiation (CD27) and proliferation (Ki67). Pathogen-specific antibody responses were analyzed using ELISA. Results were compared with conventional diagnostics. RESULTS: Patients with PFP were more often HSV-seropositive than controls (p = 0.0003), whereas VZV- and borrelia-specific antibodies did not differ between groups. Although the quantity and general phenotypical characteristics of antigen-specific T cells did not differ either, expression of CTLA-4 and Ki67 was highly increased in VZV-specific T cells of 9 PFP patients, of which 5 showed typical signs of cutaneous zoster. In the remaining 4 patients, a causal relationship with VZV was possible but remained unclear by clinical standard diagnostics. A similar CTLA-4- and Ki67-expression profile of borrelia-specific T cells was also found in a patient with acute neuroborreliosis. DISCUSSION: In conclusion, the high prevalence of HSV-seropositivity among PFP-patients may indicate an underestimation of HSV-involvement in PFP, even though HSV-specific T cell characteristics seem insufficient to identify HSV as a causative agent. In contrast, striking alterations in VZV- and borrelia-specific T cell phenotype and function may allow identification of VZV- and borrelia-triggered PFPs. If confirmed in larger studies, antigen-specific immune-phenotyping may have the potential to improve specificity of the clinical diagnosis.

Acute stroke treatment and outcome in the oldest old (90 years and older) at a tertiary care medical centre in Germany-a retrospective study showing safety and efficacy in this particular patient population.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is among the most common causes of death and disability worldwide. Despite the relevance of stroke-related disease burden, which is constantly increasing due to the demographic change in industrialized countries with an ageing population and consecutively an increase in age-associated diseases, there is sparse evidence concerning acute stroke treatment and treatment-related outcome in the elderly patient group. This retrospective study aimed at analysing patient characteristics, therapy-related complications and functional outcome in stroke patients aged 90 years or older who underwent acute stroke treatment (i.e. intravenous thrombolysis, mechanical thrombectomy, or both). METHODS: We identified files of all inpatient stays at the Department of Neurology at Saarland University Medical Center (tertiary care level with a comprehensive stroke unit) between June 2011 and December 2018 and filtered for subjects aged 90 years or older at the time of admission. We reviewed patient files for demographic data, symptoms upon admission, (main) diagnoses, comorbidities, and administered therapies. For patients admitted due to acute stroke we reviewed files for therapy-related complications and functional outcome. We compared the modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores upon admission and at discharge for these patients. RESULTS: We identified 566 inpatient stays of subjects aged 90 years or older. Three hundred sixty-seven of the 566 patients (64.8%) were admitted and discharged due to symptoms indicative of stroke. Two hundred eleven patients received a diagnosis of ischaemic stroke. These 211 patients were analysed subsequently. Sixty-four patients qualified for acute stroke treatment (intravenous thrombolysis n = 22, mechanical thrombectomy n = 26, intravenous thrombolysis followed by mechanical thrombectomy n = 16) and showed a significant improvement in their functional status as measured by change in mRS score (admission vs. discharge, p 0.001) with 7 (10.9%) observed potentially therapy-related complications (relevant drop in haemoglobin n = 2, subarachnoidal haemorrhage n = 1, cerebral haemorrhage n = 3, extracranial bleeding n = 1). One intravenous thrombolysis was stopped because of an uncontrollable hypertensive crisis. Patients who did not qualify for these treatments (including those declining acute treatment) did not show a change of their functional status between admission and discharge (p 0.064). CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that acute stroke treatment is effective and safe in the oldest old. Age alone is no criterion to withhold an acute intervention even in oldest old stroke patients.

Effects of a Feedback-Demanding Stroke Clock on Acute Stroke Management: A Randomized Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This randomized study aimed to evaluate whether the use of a stroke clock demanding active feedback from the stroke physician accelerates acute stroke management. METHODS: For this randomized controlled study, a large-display alarm clock was installed in the computed tomography room, where admission, diagnostic work-up, and intravenous thrombolysis occurred. Alarms were set at the following target times after admission: (1) 15 minutes (neurological examination completed); (2) 25 minutes (computed tomography scanning and international normalized ratio determination by point-of-care laboratory completed); and (3) 30 minutes (intravenous thrombolysis started). The responsible stroke physician had to actively provide feedback by pressing a buzzer button. The alarm could be avoided by pressing the button before time out. Times to therapy decision (primary end point, defined as the end of all diagnostic work-up required for decision for or against recanalizing treatment), neurological examination, imaging, point-of-care laboratory, needle, and groin puncture were assessed by a neutral observer. Functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale) was assessed at day 90. RESULTS: Of 107 participants, 51 stroke clock patients exhibited better stroke-management metrics than 56 control patients. Times from door to (1) end of all indicated diagnostic work-up (treatment decision time; 16.73 versus 26.00 minutes, P<0.001), (2) end of neurological examination (7.28 versus 10.00 minutes, P<0.001), (3) end of computed tomography (11.17 versus 14.00 minutes, P=0.002), (4) end of computed tomography angiography (14.00 versus 17.17 minutes, P=0.001), (5) end of point-of-care laboratory testing (12.14 versus 20.00 minutes, P<0.001), and (6) needle times (18.83 versus 47.00 minutes, P=0.016) were improved. In contrast, door-to-groin puncture times and functional outcomes at day 90 were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the use of a stroke clock demanding active feedback significantly improves acute stroke-management metrics and, thus, represents a potential low-cost strategy for streamlining time-sensitive stroke treatment.

Primary HIV infection presenting with Kaposi sarcoma and limbic encephalitis.

The development of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis is often associated with neoplasia or infectious diseases as antibodies against neurons or synaptic proteins surface. A 30-year-old male patient was admitted to our department because of neurocognitive symptoms, particularly memory difficulties which had appeared a year prior and since then had been increasing. He had a medical history of smoking and hypertension. On examination, there were no focal neurological deficits. However, neuropsychological tests confirmed a lack of concentration and short-term memory impairment. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) remained unremarkable. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed a low lymphocytic pleocytosis without oligoclonal bands. Serum testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was positive with 420,000 HIV-1-RNA copies/ml. On a more detailed physical examination, a large number of purple patches were found on the entire body, which a biopsy confirmed to be Kaposi sarcoma (KS). A positive serum and CSF NMDA receptor antibody titer (serum 1:280; CSF 1:8) confirmed the diagnosis of an AIDS-associated anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis; therefore, we treated him with antiretroviral and immunosuppressive therapy. After 12 months, the KS lesions faded and the cognitive deficits improved slightly. Our case highlights that a detailed clinical examination and searching for neoplasia and/or an infection are helpful, though often neglected, tools for detecting an anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis.

Intravenous thrombolysis with tPA and cortical involvement increase the risk of early poststroke seizures: Results of a case-control study.

The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for early poststroke seizures (PSS) in patients with acute ischemic stroke. We undertook a case-control study at a single stroke center. Patients with seizure occurring during the first 7 days following ischemic stroke admitted between 2010 and 2016 were retrospectively identified and matched with controls (patients with stroke without early PSS) for age and sex. We included 79 cases and 158 controls. Blood sugar levels on admission, stroke localization, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Rankin score, and intravenous (i.v.) thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) were statistically associated with early PSS in univariate analysis. Multiple logistic regression after forward and backward variable selection identified cortical stroke localization (odds ratio (OR): 2.49; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.35 to 4.59; p = 0.003) and i.v. thrombolysis (OR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.16 to 4.43; p = 0.008) as variables independently associated with early PSS. Cortical involvement and i.v. thrombolysis are independent risk factors associated with the occurrence of early PSS. This association is not explained by age or sex, concomitant drugs, diabetes or alcoholism, sodium and cholesterol levels, blood pressure on admission, stroke etiology or severity, and hemorrhage following i.v. thrombolysis. Further studies are required to fully elucidate the association between different reperfusion therapies and early PSS. This article is part of the Special Issue "Seizures & Stroke".

[Influence of the "distance to thrombus" in acute middle cerebral artery occlusion : A predictor for the clinical outcome after endovascular treatment]. / Einfluss der Distanz zum Thrombus bei akutem Verschluss der Arteria cerebi media : Ein Prädiktor für das klinische Outcome nach mechanischer Thrombektomie.

BACKGROUND: The therapy strategy of patients with acute stroke of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) is influenced by the location of the occlusion. The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical outcome in patients with acute ischemic MCA occlusion according to the location of occlusion who underwent endovascular treatment (EVT). METHODS: A total of 54 patients (age 73 ± 15 years; 59% female) with acute ACM occlusion treated with EVT were included. In coronary reformatted CT angiography images, the distance to the thrombus (DT), i.e. the distance from the carotid T to the beginning of the thrombus, was measured. Correlations between DT, clinical symptoms, and clinical outcome of patients who underwent EVT were analyzed. RESULTS: DT correlated with clinical symptoms measured by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS; p = 0.017; R = -0.324) at baseline. DT also correlated with the modified Rankin scale after 90 days (90-day mRS; p = 0.014; R = -0.333). DT was a predictor for a good clinical outcome (mRS after 90 days) after EVT; odds ratio 1.113 (P = 0.02; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.017-1.219). A DT >10 mm correlated significantly (p = 0.036) with a good clinical outcome (90-day mRS ≤2). CONCLUSION: DT correlates with the clinical symptoms of patients with acute MCA occlusion. In addition, DT is an independent predictor of the clinical outcome of patients suffering from acute stroke due to MCA occlusion.

CTLA-4-expression on VZV-specific T cells in CSF and blood is specifically increased in patients with VZV related central nervous system infections.

VZV-reactivation may lead to symptomatic central nervous system (CNS) diseases, but identification of VZV as causative pathogen of CNS-diseases is challenging. This study was performed to characterize VZV-specific T cells from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood of patients with active CNS-disease and to determine whether this may improve differential diagnosis. 27 patients with pleocytosis in the CSF were recruited and classified into three groups (10 VZV-related, 10 non-VZV-related, 7 unclear). VZV-specific CD4+ T cells were quantified in CSF and blood after simultaneous stimulation with a VZV-antigen lysate and detection of cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF-α) and CTLA-4. Polyclonal stimulation served as positive control. VZV-specific CD4+ T-cell frequencies were highest in both CSF (p = 0.0001) and blood (p = 0.011) of patients with VZV-infection, and were enriched at the site of infection (p = 0.002). While cytokine-expression profiles only showed minor differences between the groups, CTLA-4-expression levels on VZV-specific T cells from CSF and blood were significantly increased in VZV-related CNS-infections (p = 0.0002 and p<0.0001) and clearly identified VZV-related CNS-diseases (100% sensitivity and 100% specificity). Polyclonally stimulated T cells did not show any quantitative and phenotypical differences between the groups. Increased frequency and CTLA-4-expression of VZV-specific T cells from CSF or blood are specifically found in patients with VZV-related CNS-infection.

Assay for improved detection of antigen-specific immune cells from extrasanguinous fluids.

In this approach, pre-stained cells from extrasanguinous fluids (ESFs) are stimulated in the presence of blood from the same individual. Thus, blood-derived antigen-presenting cells enable stimulation of both ESF- and blood T cells. Pre-staining allows distinction of T cells from ESF and blood, and simultaneous analysis of antigen-specific T cells in both compartments.

Mobile Stroke Units - Cost-Effective or Just an Expensive Hype?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Acute stroke is a treatable disease. Nevertheless, only a minority of patients obtain guideline-adjusted therapy. One major reason is the small time window in which therapies have to be administered in order to reverse or mitigate brain injury and prevent disability. The Mobile Stroke Unit (MSU) concept, available for a decade now, is spreading worldwide, comprising ambulances, fully equipped with computed tomography, laboratory unit and telemedicine connection to the stroke centre and staffed with a specialised stroke team. Besides its benefits, this concept adds a relevant amount of costs to health services. RECENT FINDINGS: The feasibility of the MSU and its impact on reducing treatment times have been proven by several research trials. In addition, pre-hospital stroke diagnosis including computed tomographic angiography analysis facilitates correct triage of patients, needing mechanical recanalization, thereby reducing the number of secondary or inter-hospital transfers. Even so, the concept is not yet fully implemented on a broad scale. One reason is the still open question of cost-effectiveness. There are assumptions based on the randomised trials of MSUs hinting towards an acceptable amount of money per quality-adjusted life years and overall cost-effectiveness. Up to now, neither a prospective analysis nor a consideration of secondary transfer avoidance is available. The MSU concept is an innovative and impactful strategy to improve stroke management, especially in times of constraints in healthcare economics and health care professionals. Prospective information is needed to answer the cost-effectiveness question satisfactorily.

Abnormal galactosylation of immunoglobulin G in cerebrospinal fluid of multiple sclerosis patients.

BACKGROUND: Glycosylation alterations have been associated with the development of several human diseases and their animal models, including multiple sclerosis. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine whether immunoglobulin G galactosylation might be changed in multiple sclerosis. METHODS: Immunoglobulin G was isolated from serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis or viral meningitis and control patients without history of inflammatory or autoimmune disease. A lectin-based assay was used to investigate potential galactosylation modifications of immunoglobulin G. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Galactosylation of immunoglobulin G isolated from cerebrospinal fluid of control patients was found to be age- and gender-dependent. In addition, immunoglobulin G galactosylation was significantly altered in cerebrospinal fluid but not in serum of multiple sclerosis patients. Furthermore, this modification was correlated with an active progression of multiple sclerosis. Finally, the loss of galactosyl moieties was not simply associated with inflammation as no such change was detected in viral meningitis patients characterized by brain inflammation.

'Stroke Room': Diagnosis and Treatment at a Single Location for Rapid Intraarterial Stroke Treatment.

BACKGROUND: For patients with acute ischemic stroke, intra-arterial treatment (IAT) is considered to be an effective strategy for removing the obstructing clot. Because outcome crucially depends on time to treatment ('time-is-brain' concept), we assessed the effects of an intervention based on performing all the time-sensitive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures at a single location on the delay before intra-arterial stroke treatment. METHODS: Consecutive acute stroke patients with large vessel occlusion who obtained IAT were evaluated before and after implementation (April 26, 2010) of an intervention focused on performing all the diagnostic and therapeutic measures at a single site ('stroke room'). RESULT: After implementation of the intervention, the median intervals between admission and first angiography series were significantly shorter for 174 intervention patients (102 min, interquartile range (IQR) 85-120 min) than for 81 control patients (117 min, IQR 89-150 min; p < 0.05), as were the intervals between admission and clot removal or end of angiography (152 min, IQR 123-185 min vs. 190 min, IQR 163-227 min; p < 0.001). However, no significant differences in clinical outcome were observed. CONCLUSION: This study shows for the, to our knowledge, first time that for patients with acute ischemic stroke, stroke diagnosis and treatment at a single location ('stroke room') saves crucial time until IAT.

Apheresis treatment in autoimmune neurological diseases: Predictors of good clinical outcome and success of follow-up therapy with B-cell depletion.

OBJECTIVE: Apheresis treatment (AT) is an established standard of treatment in various neurological autoimmune diseases. Since not all patients equally benefit from AT, we saw the need to investigate the effect of different clinical, paraclinical and technical-apparative factors on the clinical outcome. Additionally, we wanted to find out whether patients who improved due to AT continue to be clinically stable under B-cell depletion (BCD). METHODS: We screened all patients (n = 358) with neurological diseases who received AT at the Medical center of the University of the Saarland in the past 20 years. Different factors (e.g., age, sex, duration until onset of AT, type of AT, number of cycles, csf parameters) were analyzed retrospectively. Clinical disability was measured using the modified Rankin scale (mRS), visual acuity and the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). RESULTS: 335 patients, categorized into 11 different autoimmune diagnosis groups, received a total of 2669 treatment cycles and showed a statistically significant improvement in mRS with AT (p < 0.001). Patients in American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) categories I (p = 0.013) and II (p = 0.035) showed a significantly greater benefit under AT than those in category III. The clinical outcome was better with shorter duration until AT onset, more cycles of AT, and more plasma volume exchanged and the presence of an autoimmune antibody. Patients who initially profited had a significantly more stable course of the disease after 1-Year-BCD (p = 0.039). DISCUSSION: In the present study, we were able to identify various significant factors influencing the outcome of patients due to AT. Furthermore, we could show that patients with a response to AT can benefit from BCD follow-up therapy.

Neurologic Consultations and Headache during Pregnancy and in Puerperium: A Retrospective Chart Review.

Headache is a common symptom during pregnancy and in puerperium that requires careful consideration, as it may be caused by a life-threatening condition. Headaches in pregnant women and women in puerperium are classified as primary or secondary; acute, severe and newly diagnosed headaches should prompt further investigation. We aimed to further characterise the demographic features, symptoms, examination findings, and neuroimaging results of cases of headache during pregnancy and in puerperium. All pregnant women or women in postpartum conditions who attended neurological consultations at the emergency department of the clinic for Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine of Saarland University/Germany between 2001/2015 and 2012/2019 were enrolled in this retrospective chart review. Data collected from the charts included demographic/pregnancy characteristics, clinical features and imaging findings. Descriptive statistics as well as binary logistic regression were performed. More than 50% of 97 patients had abnormal findings in their neurological examination. Magnetic resonance imaging findings were pathological for almost 20% of patients-indicating conditions such as cerebral venous thrombosis, reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy, brain tumour and intracranial bleeding. The odds of abnormal neuroimaging results were 2.2-times greater among women with abnormal neurological examination findings than among those with normal examination results. In cases of headache during pregnancy and in puerperium, neuroimaging should be indicated early on. Further research is needed to determine which conditions indicate a need for immediate neuroimaging.

Case report: cerebral sinus vein thrombosis in two patients with AstraZeneca SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with an increased rate of thromboembolic events and mortality. Different vaccines are globally used to limit the pandemic. In this report, we present the case of two young female patients with newly diagnosed cerebral sinus vein thrombosis occurring after injection of the vector-based ChAdOx1 vaccine. Both patients presented with unusual headache only. The two of them used an estrogen-containing contraception, had had a history of deep venous thrombosis, and both had MTHFR mutations. Both patients developed SARS-CoV-2 specific humoral and cellular immunity including both CD4 and CD8 T cells. This rare, but serious complication needs to be considered after vaccination of young females, even if there is no evidence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

Fewer neurocognitive deficits and less brain atrophy by third ventricle measurement in PLWH treated with modern ART: A prospective analysis.

Background: Despite antiretroviral therapy, cognitive dysfunction seems to remain a major issue for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH). Previous studies showed a correlation between the width of the third ventricle (WTV) and neurocognitive disorders in PLWH. Patients and methods: We investigated prevalence and correlation of neuropsychological disorders using WTV as a brain atrophy marker examined by transcranial sonography and MRI in PLWH and healthy age- and gender-matched controls. We used Becks Depression Inventory (BDI) for depression screening, the questionnaires Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) for fatigue and Short-Form-36 (SF36) for quality of life (QoL) evaluation and Consortium to establish a registry for Alzheimer's disease (CERAD-PLUS) as neuropsychological test battery. Results: 52 PLWH (47 males) and 28 non-infected controls (23 males) with a median age of 52 years (24-78 years) and 51 years (22-79) were analyzed. WTV correlated significantly with age (p < 0.01) but showed no significantly difference in PLWH (median = 3.4 mm) compared to healthy controls (median = 2.8 mm) (p = 0.085). PLWH had both significantly higher BDI-Scores (p = 0.005) and FSS-Scores (p = 0.012). Controls reported higher QoL (SF-36) with significant differences in most items. However, the overall cognitive performance (CERAD total score) showed no significant difference. The WTV of all subjects correlated with neurocognitive performance measured as CERAD total score (p = 0.009) and trail making tests A (p < 0.001) and B (p = 0.018). There was no correlation between the scores of BDI, FSS, SF-36, and CERAD-PLUS items and WTV. Conclusion: WTV is considered as a predictor of cognitive deficits in neurodegenerative diseases. Nevertheless, we found no significant difference in WTV or overall cognitive performance between PLWH and controls. PLWH suffer more often from depression and fatigue and report reduced QoL when compared to healthy controls.

Identification of Neural Mechanisms in First Single-Sweep Analysis in oVEMPs and Novel Normative Data.

BACKGROUND: Bone-conducted (BC) VEMPs provide important tools for measuring otolith function. However, two major drawbacks of this method are encountered in clinical practice-small n10 amplitude and averaging technique. In this study, we present the results of a new VEMP setup measuring technique combined with a novel single-sweep analysis. METHODS: The study included BC oVEMP data from 92 participants for the evaluation of normative data using a novel analysis technique. For evaluating test-retest reliability, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used. RESULTS: We found significant n10 amplitude differences in single-sweep analyses after the first and second measurements. Thereby, mathematical analyses of the head movement did not show any differences in the first or second measurements. The normative n10 amplitude was 20.66 µV with an asymmetric ratio (AR) of 7%. The new value of late shift difference (LSD) was 0.01 ms. The test retest-reliability showed good to excellent ICC results in 9 out of 10 measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support a phenomenon in single-sweep analysis of the first stimuli independent of head movement and signal morphology. Furthermore, the values obtained with the new measurement method appear to be more sensitive and may allow an extended diagnostic range due to the new parameter LSD.

Short-chain fatty acids and intestinal inflammation in multiple sclerosis: modulation of female susceptibility by microbial products?

BACKGROUND: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune-mediated disease of the central nervous system. Experimental data suggest a role of intestinal microbiota and microbial products such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the pathogenesis of MS. A recent clinical study reported beneficial effects (mediated by immunomodulatory mechanisms) after oral administration of the SCFA propionate in MS patients. Based on available evidence, we investigated whether SCFAs and the fecal inflammation marker calprotectin are altered in MS. METHODS: 76 subjects (41 patients with relapsing-remitting MS and 35 age-matched controls) were investigated in this case-control study. All subjects underwent clinical assessment with established clinical scales and provided fecal samples for a quantitative analysis of fecal SCFA and fecal calprotectin concentrations. Fecal markers were compared between MS patients and controls, and were analyzed for an association with demographic as well as clinical parameters. RESULTS: Median fecal calprotectin concentrations were within normal range in both groups without any group-specific differences. Fecal SCFA concentrations showed a non-significant reduction in MS patients compared to healthy subjects. Female subjects showed significantly reduced SCFA concentrations compared to male subjects. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort of MS patients, we found no evidence of an active intestinal inflammation. Yet, the vast majority of the investigated MS patients was under immunotherapy which might have affected the outcome measures. The sex-associated difference in fecal SCFA concentrations might at least partially explain female predominance in MS. Large-scale longitudinal studies including drug-naïve MS patients are required to determine the role of SCFAs in MS and to distinguish between disease-immanent effects and those caused by the therapeutic regime.

Consecutive Eyeball Pressure Tests Reflect Clinically Relevant Vagal Dysfunction and Recovery in a Patient With Guillain-Barré-Syndrome With Tenacious Cardiac Dysautonomia.

Cardiac dysautonomia is a potentially life-threatening complication of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Proper and prompt recognition of patients at risk and subsequent intensive care unit (ICU) monitoring are mandatory to prevent fatal outcome. Eyeball pressure testing (EP) has been suggested as an easy applicable bedside test for vagal overreactivity in GBS and thus identifying patients at risk. Yet, there is only sparse follow-up data concerning the course of EP findings in GBS. We report a 25 years-old male patient with GBS who underwent consecutive EP (n = 11) during his ICU stay over a period of 11 weeks. The series of tests performed in this patient (and corresponding clinical events) show that EP data might represent an approximation of vagal dysfunction and vagal recovery in GBS. Interestingly, we observed a much longer duration of pathological EP compared to a previous report. The tenacious cardiac dysautonomia in this patient necessitated long-term application of a transvenous temporary pacemaker.