Effects of COVID-19 on Multiple Sclerosis Relapse: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease. It is characterized by demyelinating lesions throughout the central nervous system. Patients suffering from multiple sclerosis constitute a vulnerable population to coronavirus disease-2019. This review focuses on the effects of coronavirus disease-2019 on relapse and symptom exacerbation in multiple sclerosis patients and their treatment. It highlights how the blood-brain barrier may be compromised by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, allowing inflammatory mediators and lymphocytes to infiltrate the central nervous system. This may increase the risk of relapse in multiple sclerosis patients. Also, in patients who did not have a prior history of multiple sclerosis, coronavirus disease-2019 has been found to impact multiple sclerosis onset and pathogenesis. However, more comprehensive research is required to fully understand the interplay between multiple sclerosis and coronavirus disease-2019.

Keywords

• Blood-Brain Barrier
• Coronavirus Disease-2019
• Disease Exacerbation
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Neurologic Symptoms