Studies suggest a possible association for the diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica after COVID-19 vaccination

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A new peer-reviewed study highlights the development of neuromyelitis optica after COVID-19 vaccination, suggesting that autoimmune disease may occur as an adverse event in the vaccine. ..

The general findings of the study show that healthy individuals develop neuromyelitis optica (NMO) within about two weeks after vaccination with Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca. In patients already affected by this disease or similar neurological autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis Deterioration Symptoms or recurrence were observed.

So far, at least 6 cases of NMO after COVID-19 vaccination have been reported in case studies worldwide. Some recovered completely, while others were discharged due to long-term medication and unresolved symptoms.

Neuromyelitis optica It is a rare autoimmune disease in which the immune system accidentally attacks the spinal cord and nerves of the eye. There is no cure, but treatment can prevent future recurrences that cause further damage to the nerves.

The cause of the illness is unknown, but it is usually caused by an infection or another autoimmune disease. It is more common in women than in men, but it can affect anyone of any age.

for 5 years Survival rate For a single attack, NMO is 90% when treated, and for recurrence (multiple attacks), NMO is almost 70%.

Symptoms include eye pain, loss of vision, paralysis, weakness and pain in the arms and legs, bladder and bowel problems, and uncontrolled vomiting and hiccups.

Adverse events are medical outbreaks and generally occur within 28 days of vaccination. According to the World Health Organization“Unfavorable medical events following immunization” are considered adverse events, even if they are not caused by the vaccine.

Neuromyelitis optica that occurs after Pfizer vaccination

Two studies, One in turkey When One in germany It was suggested that Pfizer vaccination may have triggered NMO disorders. The two affected women developed NMO symptoms within 24 hours and 23 days, respectively, after vaccination.

In a Turkish study, a 43-year-old previously healthy woman developed visual impairment 24 hours after her second dose of Pfizer vaccine.

One month after treatment, she had a second seizure. Pain, increased sensation, tingling on the right side of her body, weakness, and urinary retention were seen.

The doctor diagnosed her as NMO. She was “probably caused by the administration of the COVID-19 mRNA-BNT162b2 vaccine.” She recovered almost completely and received long-term monoclonal antibody therapy.

A German study investigated a 68-year-old woman who had lived for many years on suspicion of multiple sclerosis. The main symptom is mild leg paralysis. After previously receiving a tetanus and pneumococcal vaccine, she suffered from a loss of mobility in her legs, which was successfully treated. However, 23 days after receiving her first dose of Pfizer in May 2021, her symptoms worsened severely. She lost her ability to walk and experienced a lack of control of her bladder and intestines.

The woman refused a second dose of the vaccine and had no recurrence of symptoms.

Neuromyelitis optica that occurs after modern vaccination

Two Moderna studies conducted in the United States also included women. First patient I was 19 years old healthy. Second I was 46 years old with a history of vitamin B deficiency. Both showed symptoms within 15 and 2 days of the first dose of the vaccine, respectively.

A 19-year-old woman had severe weakness and urinary incontinence in her arms and legs after receiving the Moderna vaccine.

After receiving the first dose of the vaccine, a 46-year-old woman suffered from weakness in the upper and lower limbs, urinary retention, decreased sensation, and “constant shooting, 10 out of 10 back pains”. Her lower limb weakness and urinary retention were resolved, but the report showed that her desensitization may have persisted.

Neuromyelitis optica after vaccination with AstraZeneca

in Thailand In Brazil, we are studying detailed side effects after AstraZeneca vaccination. A Thai study found that a previously healthy 46-year-old woman developed weakness in her right leg and loss of sensation in her right leg 10 days after her first dose. She improved her leg weakness, but continued to have an abnormal sensation.

The latter study A 62-year-old woman with neuromyelitis optica stable for 8 years showed recurrence 7 days after the first dose and diminished visual acuity in the left eye. Her eyesight recovered in three weeks.

The above case studies are not exhaustive.The study also quoted SinovacĀ® When Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine for NMO cases that occurred after vaccination.

The authors of the study emphasized the need for future studies and “high suspicions” in diagnosis and intervention. Because NMO is a rapidly progressing disease, it can have serious consequences with the potential for disability and death if left untreated.

AstraZeneca spokesman Sinead Keller told the Epoch Times that “cases of neuromyelitis optica are rarely reported after vaccination,” and the causal link between vaccination and this “very rare event.” Not confirmed.

“We continue to work with regulatory agencies around the world to closely monitor safety information from all available sources as part of our regular monitoring,” Keller said on June 16. I am writing by email every day.

Although not all cases show a positive association, findings suggest a possible association between NMO and COVID-19 vaccination.

The Epoch Times asked Pfizer and Moderna for comment.

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