Woo MS, Steins D, Häußler V, Kohsar M, Haag F, Elias-Hamp B, Heesen C, Lütgehetmann M, Schulze zur Wiesch J, Friese MA.

Individuals with autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), that require long-term immunosuppression are regarded as particularly vulnerable in the current COVID-19 pandemic. However, few details about the effect of individual immunotherapies have been reported, which could instruct us about the immunological control of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Specific antibodies are detectable within 2–19 days and have been extensively analyzed for diagnostic purposes and vaccine development. It is unclear whether a durable antibody response is required for recovery of COVID-19 or whether it might even contribute to the pathogenesis by perpetuating hyperinflammation as has been shown for the closely related middle-east-respiratory-syndrome (MERS) coronavirus.



J Neurol. 2021 Jan;268(1):5-7



Link to Pubmed