Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives (Nov 2021)

A rare presentation of undiagnosed multiple sclerosis after the COVID-19 vaccine

  • Ariana R. Tagliaferri,
  • George Horani,
  • Katherine Stephens,
  • Patrick Michael

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/20009666.2021.1979745
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 6
pp. 772 – 775

Abstract

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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an auto-immune mediated neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system and leads to myelin sheath destruction. The pathogenesis of MS involves T helper cells causing inflammation and eventual death of the oligodendrocytes. Etiologies for the development of MS include a combination of genetic, environmental, and immune factors. Vaccines have been proposed to increase the immune response and have reportedly activated some autoimmune disorders. Although certain vaccines such as hepatitis B have been associated with MS, studies have refuted these cases. We present a rare case of a 32-year-old patient who presented with symptoms and suggestive of MS a few days after receiving the COVID vaccine. Laboratory and imaging findings confirmed the diagnosis of MS, and she was started on steroids and discharged in a stable condition a few days after.

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