Could SARS-CoV-2 herald a surge of multiple sclerosis?

Nevin Mohieldin Shalaby; Hatem Samir Shehata

doi:10.1186/s41983-021-00277-5

Could SARS-CoV-2 herald a surge of multiple sclerosis?

Egypt J Neurol Psychiatr Neurosurg. 2021;57(1):22. doi: 10.1186/s41983-021-00277-5. Epub 2021 Feb 10.

Authors

Nevin Mohieldin Shalaby¹, Hatem Samir Shehata¹

Affiliation

¹ Neurology Department, Kasr Al-Ainy School of Medicine, Cairo University, Department No.15, Second Floor, Al-Saraya St., Al-Manial District, Cairo, Egypt.

Abstract

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, many queries are raised regarding its nature, outcome, and sequelae. This letter raises the concern of potential impact on increasing the incidence of multiple sclerosis whose pathology involves a possible viral etiology. Besides, the potential neurotropism of the acute respiratory distress syndrome corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is still not established, may raise concerns about the use of certain disease modifying therapies namely natalizumab.

Keywords: COVID-19; Multiple sclerosis; Neurotropism; SARS-CoV-2.