ABSTRACT
Introduction: Most reports related to humoral immune response to COVID 19 vaccines in people with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS) were performed on mRNA-based vaccines. Objective(s): to analyze the longitudinal humoral immune responses to adenovirus-based vaccines (Sputnik V and AZD1222) in pwMS under different diseases modifying therapies (DMTs) Methods: IgG anti- SARS-COV-2 spike titers in a cohort of 101 pwMS and 28 healthy controls (HC) were measured 6 weeks after vaccination using the COVID-AR kit according to the manufacture instructions. Both patients and controls received two or three doses of Sputnik, AZD1222 or a mixed schedule (MS) of both vaccines. The neutralizing capacity was evaluated by measuring antibody neutralizing titers using SARS COV-2 pseudotyped particles. Result(s): 60.5% of pwMS were female, mean EDSS: 2.49 +/-1.5, age: 36.6 +/-10.7, disease duration 7.6 +/- 5.1 years. DMTs: 45 pwMS were under fingolimod, 23 under dimethyl fumarate, 14 under cladribine and 19 under antiCD20 monoclonal antibodies. Vaccines: 35.7% Sputnik V, 51.9% AZD1222 and 12.4 % MS. No antibody response to a 2nd dose was found in 41.3% of pwMS under fingolimod and 73.6% under antiCD20. We found a correlation between lower lymphocyte count and lower antibody titers in pwMS under fingolimod (r: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.46-0.81, p=<=0.0001). A correlation was also found between the antibody titer and the last dose of antiCD20 (r: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.03-0.7, p=0.03). In March 2022, 57 pwMS received their 3nddose, 6 patients under fingolimod and 7 under antiCD20 remained without any antibody response. We did not find differences in the neutralization capacity with different DMT and or vaccines. Multivariate regression analysis showed antiCD20 (beta= -,349, 95% CI: -3655.6-369.01, p=0.017) and fingolimod (beta=-,399, 95% CI: -3363.8-250.9, p=0.023) treatments as independent factor associated with low antibody response (r2 adjusted=0.157). Conclusion(s): This is the first report of longitudinal humoral immune response of patients under adenovirus-based vaccines, specially Sputnik V, that demonstrate that these vaccines have similar results to those obtained with mRNA-based vaccines.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: An unhealthy lifestyle could have a negative influence on the evolution of multiple sclerosis (MS). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic there has been changes that could have affect the lifestyle. The objectives were to evaluate aspects of the lifestyle of people with MS (pwMS) who are members of an association of patients from Argentina, prior to and during the pandemic, its causes and whether they received medical advice on the subject. Subjects and methods: Observational study, pwMS were convened through a patient association to answer online surveys in November 2019 and October 2020. Demographic, disease, height, weight, smoking, diet, physical activity, alcohol consumption and medical care data were collected. Results: 208 pwMS. Women: 76.4%. 43.76 years (± 10.7). Meets recommended physical activity 40.4%, 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily 13.9%, smoking 24.5%, risk alcohol consumption 12.5%, overweight + obesity 53.4%. In the pandemic, smoking decreased (24.9% vs 20%;P = .004), weight increased (BMI = 26.1 vs 27.4;P = .001) and physical activity decreased (39.3% vs 31.5%;P = .016). Regularly received advice on physical exercise 54.3%, healthy diet 32.4%, smoking cessation 33.3%. Conclusions: A significant percentage of the pwMS present unhealthy aspects of lifestyle. In the pandemic following were observed: weight gain, an increase of sedentary lifestyle and a decrease in smoking. Lifestyle advice was not done frequently. Further studies are needed to assess how to improve lifestyle and its implications for evolution and quality of life.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Patients with MS (pwMS) are currently receiving different COVID-19 vaccines in several Latin American countries. However, questions arise around the safety of these vaccines and whether vaccination might increase the risk of relapse activity. Therefore, we aimed to assess the safety and occurrence of relapses following COVID-19 vaccination in Latin American pwMS. Methods: A web-based survey was completed by 207 pwMS from Latin America to assess for adverse events associated with COVID-19 vaccination between February 1 and April 30, 2021. Results: All participants received the first dose and 84 the second. The different vaccines administered were: inactivated virus vaccines [(IVV);CoronaVac, BBIBP-CorV) ] in 117 (56.5%) patients, adenovirus vector vaccines [(AdV);Gam-COVID-Vac, AZD1222] in 53 (25.6%) and mRNA vaccines (BNT162b2) in 37 (17.9%). The mean follow-up after vaccination was 24 ± 16 days. Three (1.4%) patients reported having COVID-19 infection after vaccination (all occurring after the first dose). Any adverse events were reported in 61 (29.5%) and 23 (27.4%) individuals after the first and second doses respectively. These included pain at the injection site, headache, fever, flu-like symptoms, fatigue, and muscle or joint pain. A lower frequency of adverse events was found with IVV (x?=7.2, p=0.03). Four (1.9%) patients reported an MS relapse, all occurring after an IVV first dose. Mean time to relapse: 18 ± 13 days. None of these patients had stopped or postponed their MS treatment before vaccination. Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccines seem to be safe for pwMS from Latin America. No major safety signals appeared in this patientreported study.