COVID-19 infection in NMO/SD patients: a French survey

• DOI: 10.1007/s00415-020-10112-1
• Publication Date: 2020-09-12T16:02:59Z
• Authors: Sinéad Zeidan; Elisabeth Maillart; Céline Louapre; Thomas Roux; Catherine Lubetzki; Caroline Papeix
• Keywords: 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak; Neuroradiology; Betacoronavirus; Pandemic; Coronavirus Infections

Dear Sirs, COVID-19 pandemic due to SARS-CoV2 virus is ongoing, with a fatality rate around 5.4% [1].Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMO/SD) rare disabling disease requiring immunosuppressive therapy.The risk of severe remains unknown in NMO/SD.The aim this case-series study describe the prevalence and characteristics NMO/SD patients.We conducted monocentric retrospective caseseries patients highly suspected or proven COVID-19.They fulfilled at least one three NMO diagnostic criteria sets [2-4] were registered NOMADMUS cohort (gathering data from French expert centers).Among 117 NMO/ SD followed department neurology Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital Paris, 75 questioned by phone about infection between 05/05/2020 06/15/2020 (33 lost follow-up, 9 unreachable phone).We collected demographics, neurological history, comorbidities, outcome.COVID-19 diagnosis was retained on ≥ 1 following fulfilled: (1) positive PCR (naso-pharyngeal swab) serology (IgG); (2) typical thoracic ground glass opacities CT scan; (3) acute anosmia/ageusia sudden onset absence rhinitis nasal obstruction; (4) triad symptoms (cough, fever, asthenia) epidemic zone COVID-19.