Grey Matter Atrophy and its Relationship with White Matter Lesions in Patients with Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-associated Disease, Aquaporin-4 Antibody-Positive Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder, and Multiple Sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate: (1) the distribution of gray matter (GM) atrophy in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), aquaporin-4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (AQP4+NMOSD), and relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS); and (2) the relationship between GM volumes and white matter lesions in various brain regions within each disease. METHODS: A retrospective, multicenter analysis of magnetic resonance imaging data included patients with MOGAD/AQP4+NMOSD/RRMS in non-acute disease stage. Voxel-wise analyses and general linear models were used to evaluate the relevance of regional GM atrophy. For significant results (p < 0.05), volumes of atrophic areas are reported. RESULTS: We studied 135 MOGAD patients, 135 AQP4+NMOSD, 175 RRMS, and 144 healthy controls (HC). Compared with HC, MOGAD showed lower GM volumes in the temporal lobes, deep GM, insula, and cingulate cortex (75.79 cm3); AQP4+NMOSD in the occipital cortex (32.83 cm3); and RRMS diffusely in the GM (260.61 cm3). MOGAD showed more pronounced temporal cortex atrophy than RRMS (6.71 cm3), whereas AQP4+NMOSD displayed greater occipital cortex atrophy than RRMS (19.82 cm3). RRMS demonstrated more pronounced deep GM atrophy in comparison with MOGAD (27.90 cm3) and AQP4+NMOSD (47.04 cm3). In MOGAD, higher periventricular and cortical/juxtacortical lesions were linked to reduced temporal cortex, deep GM, and insula volumes. In RRMS, the diffuse GM atrophy was associated with lesions in all locations. AQP4+NMOSD showed no lesion/GM volume correlation. INTERPRETATION: GM atrophy is more widespread in RRMS compared with the other two conditions. MOGAD primarily affects the temporal cortex, whereas AQP4+NMOSD mainly involves the occipital cortex. In MOGAD and RRMS, lesion-related tract degeneration is associated with atrophy, but this link is absent in AQP4+NMOSD. ANN NEUROL 2024.

Therapeutic plasma exchange for neuromyelitis optica attacks: Evidence and challenges from a real-world cohort from Brazil.

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) can improve disability recovery after neuromyelitis optica spectrum disease (NMOSD) attacks, but its effectiveness and safety in Latin-American patients with access barriers and diverse ethnicity is underexplored. We carried out a retrospective cohort study with NMOSD patients that underwent TPE. 84 NMOSD attacks in 68 patients were evaluated. Despite a median 25-day delay from symptom onset to TPE, 65,5% of patients showed significant improvement. Adverse events occurred in 39% of patients, usually transitory and with no fatalities.

Vitamin D3 as an add-on treatment for multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a higher risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) and disease progression. However, the efficacy of vitamin D3 as an adjuvant therapy for MS remains a controversial topic. OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to assess the impact of adjunct high-dose vitamin D3 on clinical and radiological outcomes. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched for trials published until December 18th, 2022. Authors independently selected randomized controlled trials involving patients with MS, with an intervention group receiving high dose (≥ 1000 IU/day) cholecalciferol and reporting clinical or radiological outcomes. Authors independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias using a standardized, pilot-tested form. The meta-analysis was conducted using RStudio for EDSS at the last follow-up, ARR, and new T2 lesion count. RESULTS: We included 9 studies with 867 participants. No significant reduction of EDSS (MD = 0.02, CI 95 % [-0.37; 0.41], p = 0.91), ARR (MD -0.03, CI 95 % [-0.08; 0.02], p = 0.26), or new T2 lesions (MD -0.59, CI 95 % [-1.24;0.07], p = 0.08) was observed at 6-24 months. We found no evidence of publication bias. CONCLUSION: The findings of this meta-analysis strengthen current evidence that vitamin D3 supplementation has no significant impact on clinical outcomes in patients with MS. However, the non-significant reduction of new T2 lesions could precede long-term clinical benefits and should be validated in additional studies.

Misdiagnosis in multiple sclerosis in a Brazilian reference center: Clinical, radiological, laboratory profile and failures in the diagnostic process-Cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis misdiagnosis remains a problem despite the well-validated McDonald 2017. For proper evaluation of errors in the diagnostic process that lead to misdiagnosis, it is adequate to incorporate patients who are already under regular follow-up at reference centers of demyelinating diseases. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate multiple sclerosis misdiagnosis in patients who are on follow-up at a reference center of demyelinating diseases in Brazil. METHODS: We designed an observational study including patients in regular follow-up, who were diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at our specialized outpatient clinic in the Hospital of Clinics in the University of Sao Paulo, from 1996 to 2021, and were reassessed for misdiagnosis in 2022. We evaluated demographic information, clinical profile, and complementary exams and classified participants as "established multiple sclerosis," "non-multiple sclerosis, diagnosed," and "non-multiple sclerosis, undiagnosed." Failures in the diagnostic process were assessed by the modified Diagnostic Error Evaluation and Research tool. RESULTS: A total of 201 patients were included. After analysis, 191/201 (95.02%) participants were confirmed as "established multiple sclerosis," 5/201 (2.49%) were defined as "non-multiple sclerosis, diagnosed," and 5/201 (2.49%) were defined as "non-multiple sclerosis, undiagnosed." CONCLUSIONS: Multiple sclerosis misdiagnosis persists in reference centers, emphasizing the need for careful interpretation of clinical findings to prevent errors.

Immunoglobulin A Antibodies Against Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein in a Subgroup of Patients With Central Nervous System Demyelination.

Importance: Differential diagnosis of patients with seronegative demyelinating central nervous system (CNS) disease is challenging. In this regard, evidence suggests that immunoglobulin (Ig) A plays a role in the pathogenesis of different autoimmune diseases. Yet little is known about the presence and clinical relevance of IgA antibodies against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) in CNS demyelination. Objective: To investigate the frequency of MOG-IgA and associated clinical features in patients with demyelinating CNS disease and healthy controls. Design, Setting, and Participants: This longitudinal study comprised 1 discovery and 1 confirmation cohort derived from 5 centers. Participants included patients with suspected or confirmed demyelinating diseases and healthy controls. MOG-IgA, MOG-IgG, and MOG-IgM were measured in serum samples and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients, who were assessed from September 2012 to April 2022. Main Outcomes and Measures: Frequency and clinical features of patients who were seropositive for MOG-IgA and double-seronegative for aquaporin 4 (AQP4) IgG and MOG-IgG. Results: After the exclusion of 5 participants with coexisting AQP4-IgG and MOG-IgA, MOG-IgG, and/or MOG-IgM, 1339 patients and 110 healthy controls were included; the median follow-up time was 39 months (range, 0-227 months). Of included patients with isolated MOG-IgA, 11 of 18 were female (61%), and the median age was 31.5 years (range, 3-76 years). Among patients double-seronegative for AQP4-IgG and MOG-IgG (1126/1339; 84%), isolated MOG-IgA was identified in 3 of 50 patients (6%) with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, 5 of 228 patients (2%) with other CNS demyelinating diseases, and 10 of 848 patients (1%) with multiple sclerosis but in none of the healthy controls (0/110). The most common disease manifestation in patients seropositive for isolated MOG-IgA was myelitis (11/17 [65%]), followed by more frequent brainstem syndrome (7/16 [44%] vs 14/75 [19%], respectively; P = .048), and infrequent manifestation of optic neuritis (4/15 [27%] vs 46/73 [63%], respectively; P = .02) vs patients with MOG-IgG. Among patients fulfilling 2017 McDonald criteria for multiple sclerosis, MOG-IgA was associated with less frequent CSF-specific oligoclonal bands (4/9 [44%] vs 325/351 [93%], respectively; P < .001) vs patients with multiple sclerosis who were MOG-IgG/IgA seronegative. Further, most patients with isolated MOG-IgA presented clinical attacks after recent infection or vaccination (7/11 [64%]). Conclusion and Relevance: In this study, MOG-specific IgA was identified in a subgroup of patients who were double-seronegative for AQP4-/MOG-IgG, suggesting that MOG-IgA may be a novel diagnostic biomarker for patients with CNS demyelination.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: a review with a focus on children and adolescents.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare and severe inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system (CNS). It is strongly associated with anti-aquaporin 4 antibodies (AQP4-IgG), and it mainly affects young women from non-white ethnicities. However, ∼ 5 to 10% of all cases have onset during childhood. Children and adolescents share the same clinical, radiologic, and laboratory presentation as adults. Thus, the same NMOSD diagnostic criteria are also applied to pediatric-onset patients, but data on NMOSD in this population is still scarce. In seronegative pediatric patients, there is a high frequency of the antibody against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG-IgG) indicating another disease group, but the clinical distinction between these two diseases may be challenging. Three drugs (eculizumab, satralizumab, and inebilizumab) have been recently approved for the treatment of adult patients with AQP4-IgG-positive NMOSD. Only satralizumab has recruited adolescents in one of the two pivotal clinical trials. Additional clinical trials in pediatric NMOSD are urgently required to evaluate the safety and efficacy of these drugs in this population.

O espectro da neuromielite óptica (ENMO) é uma rara e grave doença inflamatória do sistema nervoso central (SNC), fortemente associada ao anticorpo anti-aquaporina 4 (AQP4-IgG) e que afeta preferencialmente mulheres jovens de etnias não-caucasianas. No entanto, aproximadamente de 5 a 10% de todos os casos se iniciam na infância. Crianças e adolescentes compartilham as mesmas características clínicas, radiológicas e laboratoriais dos adultos. Além disso, o mesmo critério diagnóstico de ENMO é aplicado para pacientes com início na infância. No entanto, dados da população pediátrica são escassos. Em pacientes pediátricos soronegativos, existe uma alta frequência de positividade ao anticorpo contra a glicoproteína na mielina do oligodendrócito (MOG-IgG), indicando outra patologia; porém, a distinção clínica entre as duas doenças é desafiadora. Três medicações (eculizumabe, inebilizumabe e satralizumabe) foram recentemente aprovadas para pacientes adultos com AQP4-IgG. Apenas um dos ensaios pivotais do satralizumabe recrutou adolescentes. Novos ensaios clínicos em pacientes pediátricos com ENMO são necessários para avaliar a segurança e eficácia destas drogas nesta população.

Cost, efficacy, and safety comparison between early intensive and escalating strategies for multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment strategy of multiple sclerosis (MS) is a matter of debate. The classical approach is the escalating (ESC) strategy, which consists of starting with low- to moderate-efficacy disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) and upscale to high-efficacy DMDs when noting some evidence of active disease. Another approach, the early intensive (EIT) strategy, is starting with high-efficiency DMDs as first-line therapy. Our goal was to compare effectiveness, safety, and cost of ESC and EIT strategies. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and SCOPUS until September 2022, for studies comparing EIT and ESC strategies in adult participants with relapsing-remitting MS and a minimum follow-up of 5 years. We examined the Expanded Disability Severity Scale (EDSS), the proportion of severe adverse events, and cost in a 5-year period. Random-effects meta-analysis summarized the efficacy and safety and an EDSS-based Markov model estimated the cost. RESULTS: Seven studies with 3,467 participants showed a 30% reduction in EDSS worsening in 5 years (RR 0.7; [0.59-0.83]; p < 0.001) in the EIT group vs in the ESC group. Two studies with 1,118 participants suggested a similar safety profile for these strategies (RR 1.92; [0.38-9.72]; p = 0.4324). EIT with natalizumab in extended interval dosing, rituximab, alemtuzumab, and cladribine demonstrated cost-effectiveness in our model. DISCUSSION: EIT presents higher efficacy in preventing disability progression, a similar safety profile, and can be cost-effective within a 5-year timeline.

Estimated prevalence of AQP4 positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and MOG antibody associated disease in São Paulo, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies addressed the prevalence of multiple sclerosis, but prevalence studies of NMOSD and, particularly, MOGAD are scarce. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of NMOSD and MOGAD in the city of São Paulo, based on the known prevalence of MS. METHODS: In this observational study, we determined the total number of patients with central nervous system demyelinating disease on regular follow-up in a university referral center in São Paulo, from May 2019 to May 2021 according to the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), NMOSD and MOGAD using the current diagnostic criteria for these diseases. We used the MS: NMOSD and MS: MOGAD ratios to estimate the ratio of these diseases in São Paulo, Brazil. RESULTS: We identified 968 patients with MS, 133 patients with AQP4 positive NMOSD, and 28 patients with MOGAD. We found the MS: NMOSD ratio of 7,28 and the MS: MOGAD ratio of 34,57. We estimated a prevalence of 2,1 per 100,000 inhabitants for NMOSD and of 0,4 per 100,000 inhabitants for MOGAD. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of NMOSD is high in São Paulo, but the prevalence of MOGAD is low when compared with the prevalence found in most of the studies reported to date.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: a review with a focus on children and adolescents / Espectro da neuromielite óptica: uma revisão com ênfase em crianças e adolescentes

Abstract Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare and severe inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system (CNS). It is strongly associated with anti-aquaporin 4 antibodies (AQP4-IgG), and it mainly affects young women from non-white ethnicities. However, ~ 5 to 10% of all cases have onset during childhood. Children and adolescents share the same clinical, radiologic, and laboratory presentation as adults. Thus, the same NMOSD diagnostic criteria are also applied to pediatric-onset patients, but data on NMOSD in this population is still scarce. In seronegative pediatric patients, there is a high frequency of the antibody against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG-IgG) indicating another disease group, but the clinical distinction between these two diseases may be challenging. Three drugs (eculizumab, satralizumab, and inebilizumab) have been recently approved for the treatment of adult patients with AQP4-IgG-positive NMOSD. Only satralizumab has recruited adolescents in one of the two pivotal clinical trials. Additional clinical trials in pediatric NMOSD are urgently required to evaluate the safety and efficacy of these drugs in this population.

Resumo O espectro da neuromielite óptica (ENMO) é uma rara e grave doença inflamatória do sistema nervoso central (SNC), fortemente associada ao anticorpo anti-aquaporina 4 (AQP4-IgG) e que afeta preferencialmente mulheres jovens de etnias não-caucasianas. No entanto, aproximadamente de 5 a 10% de todos os casos se iniciam na infância. Crianças e adolescentes compartilham as mesmas características clínicas, radiológicas e laboratoriais dos adultos. Além disso, o mesmo critério diagnóstico de ENMO é aplicado para pacientes com início na infância. No entanto, dados da população pediátrica são escassos. Em pacientes pediátricos soronegativos, existe uma alta frequência de positividade ao anticorpo contra a glicoproteína na mielina do oligodendrócito (MOG-IgG), indicando outra patologia; porém, a distinção clínica entre as duas doenças é desafiadora. Três medicações (eculizumabe, inebilizumabe e satralizumabe) foram recentemente aprovadas para pacientes adultos com AQP4-IgG. Apenas um dos ensaios pivotais do satralizumabe recrutou adolescentes. Novos ensaios clínicos em pacientes pediátricos com ENMO são necessários para avaliar a segurança e eficácia destas drogas nesta população.

Asymptomatic MRI lesions in pediatric-onset AQP4-IgG positive NMOSD.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Around 5% of all Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (NMOSD) cases start before 18 years of age. Clinical and radiological manifestations of AQP4-IgG positive NMOSD were revised in 2015, and the importance of neuroimaging in the diagnosis is well recognized. Neuroimaging findings in pediatric-onset NMOSD were scarcely described, and longitudinal evaluation of NMOSD lesions was only accessed in a few adult-onset cohorts. METHODS: This study evaluated brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve MRI of sixteen pediatric-onset AQP4-IgG positive NMOSD through a qualitative evaluation of lesion evolution. Lesions were classified as symptomatic or asymptomatic in acute or chronic phase (> 30 days from last attack) MRI. RESULTS: Seventy MRI scans and 54 subsequent exams were evaluated. Most NMOSD lesions (74.5%) reduced, remained stable, or developed atrophy/cavitation. New brain lesions or enlargement of existing brain lesions were found in two patients (12.5%) without any clinical symptom and in five patients (31.2%) in the course of an attack from other topography (optic neuritis or acute myelitis). One patient (6.3%) presented an asymptomatic spinal cord lesion irrespective of clinical manifestation. No asymptomatic lesion was described in optic nerve MRI. In acute phase exams, longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (13/19 vs 8/24; p = 0.033), cervical myelitis (15/19 vs 10/24, p = 0.028), lumbar myelitis (5/19 vs 0/24; p = 0.012), and a higher number of segments [median 8 (range 4-17) vs 3.5 (range 1-14); p = 0.003] were affected. CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic brain and spinal cord lesions can occur in pediatric-onset NMOSD, especially in the course of acute optic neuritis or myelitis. More longitudinal studies are necessary to guide recommendations on neuroimaging frequency in pediatric patients with AQP4-IgG NMOSD.

Is there a role for off-label high-efficacy disease-modifying drugs in progressive multiple sclerosis? A network meta-analysis.

Ocrelizumab and siponimod are the two on-label drugs used for progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (PMS). However, many patients with PMS do not have access to these high-efficacy disease-modifying drugs (DMDs). Off-label prescription of other high-efficacy DMDs (fingolimod, rituximab and natalizumab) may be a strategy to improve access to immunotherapy for these patients. We aim to compare on-label and off-label high-efficacy drugs for their effect on disability progression in PMS. In December 2021, we searched MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Central and Scopus databases for randomized clinical trials involving patients with PMS. High-efficacy drugs were considered as intervention and placebos as comparison. The outcome contemplated was risk of Expanded Disability Severity Scale (EDSS) progression at 2 years. A network meta-analysis was performed to compare the relative risk of EDSS progression at 2 years compared with placebo in on-label and off-label drugs. We included five studies with 4526 patients. The median EDSS progression at 2 years in patients that received any immunotherapy was 30%, compared with 35% in placebo groups. Overall, the risk of bias of individual studies was low. Network analysis revealed overlapping confidence intervals in off-label drugs (CI95% 0.51-2.16) versus ocrelizumab (reference) and off-label drugs (CI 95% 0.53-1.96) versus siponimod (reference), suggesting similar efficacy. The same result was found even after excluding studies with the risk of publication bias. Off-label high efficacy immunotherapy in PMS has biological plausibility and presented similar effectiveness to on-label DMDs in this network meta-analysis. The use of fingolimod, rituximab or natalizumab may be a strategy that reduces costs and improves access to immunotherapy for patients with PMS.

Reduced quality of life in a pediatric-onset Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders cohort.

BACKGROUND: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) is a severe condition associated with high disability and low quality of life (QoL) in adults. Since this evaluation had been rarely perfomed in children, this study aimed to describe QoL in pediatric-onset NMOSD with positive aquaporin4 antibody (AQP4-IgG) patients. METHODS: This was a cross-section evaluation of patients and parents' proxy QoL from individuals enrolled in a longitudinal cohort of AQP4-IgG positive NMOSD with onset ≤ 18 years of age. RESULTS: Eighteen patients were included, sixteen girls. The mean (SD) age at disease onset was 11.5 (3.6) years. Eleven of patients experienced disability during a mean (SD) of 8.3 (5.3) years of follow-up. NMOSD had impact in QoL in 10 patients, being associated with higher EDSS and poor academic performance at last follow-up. Results from the PedsQL inventory for 13 patients and 10 parents disclosed low QoL specially in emotional functioning. CONCLUSION: This study indicates impaired quality of life, high disability and high impact of the disease in daily life of adolescents and young adults with pediatric onset NMOSD.

Clinical Features of COVID-19 on Patients With Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical features and disease outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). METHODS: The Neuroimmunology Brazilian Study Group has set up the report of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV2) cases in patients with NMOSD (pwNMOSD) using a designed web-based case report form. All neuroimmunology outpatient centers and individual neurologists were invited to register their patients across the country. Data collected between March 19 and July 25, 2020, were uploaded at the REDONE.br platform. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) NMOSD diagnosis according to the 2015 International Panel Criteria and (2) confirmed SARS-CoV2 infection (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or serology) or clinical suspicion of COVID-19, diagnosed according to Center for Disease Control / Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CDC/CSTE) case definition. Demographic and NMOSD-related clinical data, comorbidities, disease-modifying therapy (DMT), COVID-19 clinical features, and severity were described. RESULTS: Among the 2,061 pwNMOSD followed up by Brazilian neurologists involved on the registry of COVID-19 in pwNMOSD at the REDONE.br platform, 34 patients (29 women) aged 37 years (range 8-77), with disease onset at 31 years (range 4-69) and disease duration of 6 years (range 0.2-20.5), developed COVID-19 (18 confirmed and 16 probable cases). Most patients exhibited mild disease, being treated at home (77%); 4 patients required admission at intensive care units (severe cases); and 1 patient died. Five of 34 (15%) presented neurologic manifestations (relapse or pseudoexacerbation) during or after SARS-CoV2 infection. DISCUSSION: Most NMOSD patients with COVID-19 presented mild disease forms. However, pwNMOSD had much higher odds of hospitalization and intensive care unit admission comparing with the general Brazilian population. The frequency of death was not clearly different. NMOSD disability, DMT type, and comorbidities were not associated with COVID-19 outcome. SARS-CoV2 infection was demonstrated as a risk factor for NMOSD relapses. Collaborative studies using shared NMOSD data are needed to suitably define factors related to COVID-19 severity and neurologic manifestations.

Drug-related demyelinating syndromes: understanding risk factors, pathophysiological mechanisms and magnetic resonance imaging findings.

Some drugs and medications can precipitate immune system deregulations, which might be confused with recurrent demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMO), exacerbations of an existing disease, neoplastic lesions or other conditions. In this narrative review we describe some of the most relevant drugs and medications associated with iatrogenic demyelination. The anthelminthic agent levamisole is a frequent cocaine adulterant and can precipitate an exacerbated immune response attacking the central nervous system (CNS). High-efficacy multiple sclerosis (MS) drugs might induce a selective CNS immunosuppression, making it susceptible for opportunistic infections that course with demyelination, such as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Sometimes, the interruption of a high-efficacy drug to treat MS can induce a rapid CNS reentry of lymphocytes, exacerbating demyelinating processes and triggering rebound syndromes. Furthermore, selective cytokines inhibition, such as anti-TNFα agents, might induce an imbalance between cell death and proliferation inducing a paradoxical increase of CNS tumor necrosis factor (TNF), affecting the activity of lymphocytes, microglia and macrophages, triggering aberrant inflammation and demyelination. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a new class of antineoplastic drugs that enhance the immune response against tumor cells by an upregulation of T-cell activity. However, this hyperactivation of the immune system might be associated with induction of unwanted autoimmune responses. In this paper we review the risk factors, the possible pathological mechanisms and the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of these drug-related demyelinating syndromes.

Long-term safety of azathioprine for treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.

BACKGROUND: Azathioprine is a common first-line therapy for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether long-term treatment (>10 years) with azathioprine is safe in NMOSD. Methods: We conducted a retrospective medical record review of all patients at the School of Medicine of the University of São Paulo (São Paulo, Brazil) who fulfilled the 2015 international consensus diagnostic criteria for NMOSD and were treated with azathioprine for at least 10 years. RESULTS: Out of 375 patients assessed for eligibility, 19 were included in this analysis. These patients' median age was 44 years (range=28-61); they were mostly female (17/19) and AQP4-IgG seropositive (18/19). The median disease duration was 15 years (range=10-39) and most patients presented a relapsing clinical course (84.2%). The median duration of treatment was 11.9 years (range=10.0-23.8). The median annualized relapse rates (ARR) pre- and post-treatment with azathioprine were 1 (range=0.1-2) and 0.1 (range=0-0.35); p=0.09. Three patients (15.7%) had records of adverse events during the follow-up, which consisted of chronic B12 vitamin deficiency, pulmonary tuberculosis and breast cancer. CONCLUSION: Azathioprine may be considered a safe agent for long-term treatment (>10 years) of NMOSD, but continuous vigilance for infections and malignancies is required.

Long-term safety of azathioprine for treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders / Segurança a longo prazo da azatioprina no tratamento dos transtornos do espectro da neuromielite óptica

ABSTRACT Background: Azathioprine is a common first-line therapy for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether long-term treatment (>10 years) with azathioprine is safe in NMOSD. Methods: We conducted a retrospective medical record review of all patients at the School of Medicine of the University of São Paulo (São Paulo, Brazil) who fulfilled the 2015 international consensus diagnostic criteria for NMOSD and were treated with azathioprine for at least 10 years. Results: Out of 375 patients assessed for eligibility, 19 were included in this analysis. These patients' median age was 44 years (range=28-61); they were mostly female (17/19) and AQP4-IgG seropositive (18/19). The median disease duration was 15 years (range=10-39) and most patients presented a relapsing clinical course (84.2%). The median duration of treatment was 11.9 years (range=10.0-23.8). The median annualized relapse rates (ARR) pre- and post-treatment with azathioprine were 1 (range=0.1-2) and 0.1 (range=0-0.35); p=0.09. Three patients (15.7%) had records of adverse events during the follow-up, which consisted of chronic B12 vitamin deficiency, pulmonary tuberculosis and breast cancer. Conclusion: Azathioprine may be considered a safe agent for long-term treatment (>10 years) of NMOSD, but continuous vigilance for infections and malignancies is required.

RESUMO Introdução: A azatioprina é um tratamento comum de primeira linha para os transtornos do espectro neuromielite óptica (NMOSD). Objetivo: Este estudo visou determinar a segurança do tratamento a longo prazo (>10 anos) da NMOSD com a azatioprina. Métodos: Foi realizada revisão retrospectiva de todos os prontuários de pacientes que preenchiam critérios de NMOSD de acordo com o "International Consensus Diagnostic Criteria for NMOSD" de 2015 em uso de azatioprina por ao menos 10 anos matriculados no ambulatório de Doenças Desmielinizantes do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. Resultados: De 375 pacientes avaliados, 19 preencheram critérios de inclusão para análise. A mediana de idade foi de 44 anos (variância=28-61); os pacientes eram predominantemente do sexo feminino (17/19) e AQP4-IgG soropositivos (18/19). A mediana do tempo de duração de doença foi 11,9 anos (variância=10,0-23,8), a mediana da taxa anualizada de surtos pré e pós-tratamento foi de 1 (variância=0,1-2) e 0,1 (variância=0-0,35), p=0,09. Três pacientes (15,7%) apresentaram registro de eventos adversos durante o seguimento: deficiência crônica de vitamina B12, tuberculose pulmonar e câncer de mama. Conclusão: A azatioprina provavelmente pode ser considerada segura para o tratamento a longo prazo (>10 anos) da NMOSD, porém vigilância contínua de neoplasias e infecções é necessária.

Treatment and outcome of aquaporin-4 antibody-positive NMOSD: A multinational pediatric study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical phenotypes, treatment response, and outcome of children with antibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4-Ab) neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). METHODS: Retrospective, multicenter, and multinational study of patients with AQP4-Ab NMOSD aged <18 years at disease onset from a center in Brazil and 13 European centers. Data on demographics, clinical findings, and laboratory results were analyzed; calculation of annualized relapse rates (ARRs) pre- and on-treatment with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and of ORs for predictors of poor outcome was performed. RESULTS: A total of 67 children were identified. At last follow-up (median 4 years, interquartile range 2-10 years), 37/67(57.8%) were found to have permanent disability. A more severe disease course was seen in the non-White ethnicity with both a shorter time to first relapse (p = 0.049) and a worse Expanded Disability Status Scale score at last follow-up (p = 0.008). The median ARR on treatment was 0.18 on azathioprine (n = 39, range 0-4), 0 on mycophenolate mofetil (n = 18, range 0-3), and 0 on rituximab (n = 29, range 0-2). No patient treated with rituximab as first-line therapy relapsed. Optic neuritis at onset was associated with a poor visual outcome below 20/200 (OR 8.669, 95% CI 1.764-42.616, p = 0.008), and a younger age at onset was associated with cognitive impairment (OR 0.786, 95% CI 0.644-0.959, p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: AQP4-Ab NMOSD in children is an aggressive disease with permanent disabilities observed in over half the cohort. All DMTs were associated with a reduction of ARR. First-line rituximab prevented further clinical relapses. International consensus on treatment protocols for children is required to reduce heterogeneity of treatment regimens used worldwide. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class IV evidence that for children with AQP4-Ab NMOSD, all DMTs, particularly first-line rituximab, reduced the ARR and prevented further clinical relapses.

Management of central nervous system demyelinating diseases during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: a practical approach.

BACKGROUND: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic poses a potential threat to patients with autoimmune disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Such patients are usually treated with immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive agents, which may tamper with the organism's normal response to infections. Currently, no consensus has been reached on how to manage MS and NMOSD patients during the pandemic. OBJECTIVE: To discuss strategies to manage those patients. METHODS: We focus on how to 1) reduce COVID-19 infection risk, such as social distancing, telemedicine, and wider interval between laboratory testing/imaging; 2) manage relapses, such as avoiding treatment of mild relapse and using oral steroids; 3) manage disease-modifying therapies, such as preference for drugs associated with lower infection risk (interferons, glatiramer, teriflunomide, and natalizumab) and extended-interval dosing of natalizumab, when safe; 4) individualize the chosen MS induction-therapy (anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, alemtuzumab, and cladribine); 5) manage NMOSD preventive therapies, including initial therapy selection and current treatment maintenance; 6) manage MS/NMOSD patients infected with COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: In the future, real-world case series of MS/NMOSD patients infected with COVID-19 will help us define the best management strategies. For the time being, we rely on expert experience and guidance.