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Abstract Details

Unmasking of a Relapsing Encephalomyelitis after SARS-CoV-2 Infection and COVID-19 Vaccination
Autoimmune Neurology
P2 - Poster Session 2 (9:00 AM-3:00 PM)
055
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Prior case studies suggest that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its vaccines may unmask neuroinflammatory conditions. We present a case of relapsing steroid-responsive encephalomyelitis after SARS-CoV-2 infection and subsequent COVID-19 vaccination.
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A 47-year-old man with a history COVID-19 presented with subacute lower extremity weakness, erectile dysfunction, and gait instability with falls. His symptoms started several weeks after COVID-19 vaccination which he underwent 3 months after COVID-19 infection. His initial exam demonstrated weakness at the knees and ankles and extensor plantar responses. MRI demonstrated innumerable enhancing lesions involving the subcortical white matter, basal ganglia, thalami, brainstem, cerebellum, and the entire spinal cord parenchyma. CSF testing revealed a lymphocytic pleocytosis (10 WBC, 88% lymphocytes), and transient matched serum and CSF oligoclonal bands. Testing was unremarkable for infections, malignancies, primary demyelinating conditions, etc. He responded dramatically to five days of high dose methylprednisolone but had recurrence of symptoms with weaning of oral prednisone, requiring another pulse of IV steroids. After 2 months, his steroids were weaned again, with clinical and radiographic recurrence, requiring another course of IV steroids. He was subsequently transitioned to mycophenolate as a steroid-sparing agent. Literature review identified 20 additional cases of CNS neuroinflammatory disease after either SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination (11 transverse myelitis, 6 optic neuritis, 3 encephalomyelitis). 
Our patient’s steroid-dependency and relapsing course suggests unmasking of an underlying CNS neuroinflammatory condition. Temporal associations of neurological conditions with vaccinations or infections do not prove causality despite previous reports of such sequelae. Vaccines containing SARS-CoV-2 antigens may enhance autoimmunity by mechanisms including polyclonal activation, epitope spreading, or molecular mimicry. This case highlights that the resulting inflammation may be insidious and extensive, though treatable.  As COVID-19 constitutes a life-threatening infection in some patients, the benefits of vaccination outweigh the smaller risk of unmasking an immune-related condition.
Authors/Disclosures
Shuvro Roy, MD (University of Washington)
PRESENTER 		Dr. Roy has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Amgen. Dr. Roy has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Genentech. Dr. Roy has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for TG Therapeutics. Dr. Roy has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Alexion. The institution of Dr. Roy has received research support from The Siegel Rare Neuroimmune Association.
Paula Barreras, MD (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center) Dr. Barreras has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Alexion. The institution of Dr. Barreras has received research support from Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research. The institution of Dr. Barreras has received research support from 好色先生.
Carlos A. Pardo-Villamizar, MD (Johns Hopkins U, Med Dept of Neurology) The institution of Dr. Pardo-Villamizar has received research support from National Institutes of Health. The institution of Dr. Pardo-Villamizar has received research support from Bart McLean Fund for Neuroimmunology Research .
Scott D. Newsome, DO, FAAN (Johns Hopkins Hospital) Dr. Newsome has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Genentech. Dr. Newsome has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Novartis. Dr. Newsome has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for TG Therapeutics. The institution of Dr. Newsome has received research support from Biogen. The institution of Dr. Newsome has received research support from Genentech/Roche. The institution of Dr. Newsome has received research support from Department of Defense. The institution of Dr. Newsome has received research support from Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute. The institution of Dr. Newsome has received research support from National MS Society. The institution of Dr. Newsome has received research support from Lundbeck. The institution of Dr. Newsome has received research support from Sanofi. The institution of Dr. Newsome has received research support from Kyverna Therapeutics. Dr. Newsome has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Lead PI for Clinical Trial with Roche.