ABSTRACT
A comparative analysis of two case histories showing the effects of COVID-19 and immunization with the Sputnik V vaccine on the dynamics of epilepsy is presented. The study was part of the "Epilepsy and COVID-19" research initiative in a cohort of patients with epilepsy divided into two groups: those experiencing COVID-19 and those immunized with vaccine against COVID-19. We present here a comparative analysis of two case histories: recurrence of seizures in COVID-19 in a young (male) patient and good tolerance of vaccine in an older (female) patient with comorbid pathology after surgical treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy. Patient K (age 32 years, male) had generalized genetic (idiopathic) epilepsy with remission of seizures for three years. On the background of mild COVID-19 the patient experienced recurrence of generalized tonic-clonic seizures with deterioration of electroencephalographic indicators. Patient F (age 59 years, female) had focal drug-resistant epilepsy with remission of seizures for three years following surgical treatment, with comorbid endocrine pathology. No side effects were seen on immunization with Sputnik V vaccine and clinical-electroencephalographic remission persisted. The results showed good tolerance of Sputnik V vaccine, with persisting remission of seizures after neurosurgical treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy in the older patient with comorbid pathology and the potential for recurrence of seizures in the young patient on the background of mild COVID-19. These results will help practicing physicians determine management tactics in epilepsy patients. Continuation of this research on the effects of COVID-19 disease and vaccination on the dynamics of epilepsy in a larger cohort is needed.
ABSTRACT
To compare an impact of coronavirus disease and Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine on the dynamics of epilepsy. The study is part of the ongoing «Epilepsy and COVID-19¼ independent research which recruited patients with epilepsy into two groups: group 1 - COVID-19 survivors and group 2 - patients vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine. The study compares two clinical cases: seizure recurrence with COVID-19 disease in a young patient and good tolerability of vaccination in a female elderly patient following surgical management of pharmacoresistant epilepsy with concomitant pathology. In group 1, a 32-year-old patient with idiopathic generalized epilepsy and 3-year seizure remission had generalized seizure recurrence with electroencephalographic deterioration against the backdrop of mild COVID-19. In group 2, a 59-year-old patient, with focal pharmacoresistant epilepsy, and 3-year seizure remission after surgical management, and comorbid endocrine dysfunction showed no side-effects with Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccination and maintained clinical and electroencephalographic remission. The study revealed that the Sputnik V vaccine was well tolerated, and that seizure remission was maintained after epilepsy surgery in an elderly patient with comorbidity, as well as there was the possibility of seizure recurrence in younger patients with mild COVID-19. The findings will aid practitioners in making decisions on how to manage epilepsy patients. More study into the impact of the disease and COVID-19 vaccination on epilepsy dynamics in a larger sample is required.
