Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a severe chronic autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, mediated by Th1/Th17 lymphocytes as well as B lymphocytes, macrophages and other immune cells. Some patients with MS are treated with alemtuzumab, a monoclonal antibody against CD52+ cells, which belongs to the disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). The main effect of alemtuzumab is related to changes in immune recruitment. Alemtuzumab therapy can induce secondary autoimmunity against the background of immune rebalancing. The thyroid gland is generally involved in the autoimmune process. Graves’ disease (GD) develops most often, followed by autoimmune thyroiditis. We present a clinical case of a patient with GD developed after alemtuzumab therapy for MS. The patient was referred to a radiologist at the Department of Radionuclide Therapy of Endocrinology Research Centre for radioiodine therapy (RAIT) due to relapse of thyrotoxicosis after anti-thyroid drug therapy for GD. The goal of treatment was achieved in 2 months, thyroid hormone therapy was initiated, against the background of this, there was compensation of thyroid function.
The article discusses the clinical manifestations, pathomorphology, pathogenesis and various treatment methods of cervical radiculopathy (CR). Article points out diagnostic difficulties arising from the frequent discrepancy between clinical and neuroimaging data. The issues of choice of conservative and surgical treatment are discussed, based on the analysis of data from recent systematic reviews.In the absence of focal neurological symptoms, radicular compression is unlikely. The natural course of CR is favorable. Rehabilitation programs are used as the first line of treatment, including a combination of education, exercise, manual therapy, psychological and pharmacological methods. Drug therapy for CR starts with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs administration; to achieve the effect quickly, it is possible to use aceclofenac (Aertal) in the form of a powder for suspension.
The meeting of experts discussed the clinical and pathophysiological features of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) (SPMS), clinical trials, and promising treatments for the progressive MS stage, as well as proposals contributing to the improvement of the current state of the problem of SPMS. In particular, the definition of and criteria for SPMS are formulated; the earliest period, when its confirmed progression can be recorded, is stated to be 3 months. The exacerbation-unaffected disability progression confirmed 6 months later may be considered to be more convincing. The introduction of tools for the early assessment of disability progression into routine practice will be able to identify the signs of progression at an earlier stage in order to timely change treatment policy. It is also noted that therapeutic possibilities in establishing secondary progression, especially in the absence of exacerbations, but in maintaining progression, are still insufficient. Certain hopes for slowing the progression in patients with SPMS are associated with the advent of siponimod, a new molecular class of S1P receptor modulators. The confirmed efficiency of siponimod in a large population of patients with SPMS allows the latter to be recommended for its treatment with both persistent disease activity (SPMS with exacerbations) and disability progression without exacerbations (SPMS without exacerbations).
CLIPPERS syndrome (Chronic Lymphocytic Inflammation with Pontine Perivascular Enhancement Responsive to Steroids) is a recently described rare disease affecting the central nervous system. It is characterized by subacute development of symptoms of lesions predominantly in the brain stem and cerebellum, by specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes, perivascular lymphocytic infiltration in the brain substance and a good response to glucocorticoid (GC) therapy. The paper describes CLIPPERS syndrome in a patient who has been followed up in a clinic for 10 years. During this period, different variants of clinical diagnosis have been considered. The final diagnosis was made only when comparing the clinical course and manifestations of the disease, MRI data, as well as the reaction to GC therapy and its discontinuation. Literature data and diagnostic criteria of this disease are presented.
Modern multiple sclerosis therapy with disease-modifying drugs is characterized by the risks of dangerous infectious complications. In the last 5 years, there have been several reports of severe, sometimes lethal, listeriosis infection in patients treated with alemtuzumab. This article presents a clinical case of lethal listeriosis meningoencephalitis, which developed within 7 days after the completion of the first cycle of alemtuzumab therapy. In January 2018, a meeting of the expert Council was held, at which the clinical recommendations published in 2017 were revised and updated.