Unexpected worsening of progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy following COVID-19 pneumonia
Authors:
- 19 April 2021
- journal article
- case report
- Published by Springer Nature in Journal of NeuroVirology
- Vol. 27 (3) , 510-513
Abstract
Progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy is a serious side effect of natalizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Here, we report a case of unexpected worsening of natalizumab-related progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy following COVID-19. After natalizumab discontinuation, a slight neurological improvement was observed, but, two months later the patient was admitted to the hospital because of neurological deterioration and COVID-19 mild pneumonia. Except for SARS-CoV-2 infection, no other potential factors of neurological worsening were identified. Thus, we pose the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 was instrumental in the progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy deterioration.Keywords
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