Controversies in neuroimmunology: multiple sclerosis, vaccination, SARS-CoV-2 and other dilemas

Abstract

Neuroimmunology is a discipline that increasingly broadens its horizons in the understanding of neurological diseases. At the same time, and in front of the pathophysiological links of neurological diseases and immunology, specific diagnostic and therapeutic approaches have been proposed. Despite the important advances in this discipline, there are multiple dilemmas that concern and filter into clinical practice. This article presents 15 controversies and a discussion about them, which are built with the most up-to-date evidence available. The topics included in this review are: steroid decline in relapses of multiple sclerosis; therapeutic recommendations in MS in light of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic; evidence of vaccination in multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating diseases; overview current situation of isolated clinical and radiological syndrome; therapeutic failure in multiple sclerosis, as well as criteria for suspension of disease-modifying therapies; evidence of the management of mild relapses in multiple sclerosis; recommendations for prophylaxis against Strongyloides stercolaris; usefulness of a second course of immunoglobulin in the Guillain-Barré syndrome; criteria to differentiate an acute-onset inflammatory demyelinating chronic polyneuropathy versus Guillain-Barré syndrome; and, the utility of angiotensin-converting enzyme in neurosarcoidosis. In each of the controversies, the general problem is presented, and specific recommendations are offered that can be adopted in daily clinical practice.

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis; Guillain-Barré syndrome; coronavirus; polyradiculoneuropathy; chronic inflammatory demyelinating; sarcoidosis; vaccines; atalizumab esclerosis múltiple.