Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder after presumed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection: A case report

Naomi S de Ruijter; Gerrit Kramer; Rob A R Gons; Gerald J D Hengstman

doi:10.1016/j.msard.2020.102474

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder after presumed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection: A case report

Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2020 Nov:46:102474. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2020.102474. Epub 2020 Sep 1.

Authors

Naomi S de Ruijter¹, Gerrit Kramer², Rob A R Gons², Gerald J D Hengstman²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Electronic address: naomi.de.ruijter@live.nl.
² Department of Neurology, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.

Abstract

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder is an inflammatory autoimmune condition, predominantly affecting the optic nerves and spinal cord. It has been stated that viral infections play a role in the development of neuromyelitis optica. Several murine coronaviruses can cause inflammatory demyelinating diseases, including optic neuritis. Here we report, to the best of our knowledge, the first human case linking a presumed SARS-CoV-2 infection to the development of NMOSD.

Keywords: Coronavirus; NMOSD; Optic neuritis; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Autoimmune Diseases / complications
Autoimmune Diseases / virology
COVID-19 / complications
COVID-19 / virology*
Humans
Neuromyelitis Optica / complications*
Neuromyelitis Optica / immunology
Neuromyelitis Optica / virology
Optic Nerve / virology
SARS-CoV-2 / pathogenicity*