Article
Neurosciences
Maria-Eleftheria Evangelopoulos, Georgios Koutsis, Fotini Boufidou, Manolis Markianos
Summary: Cholesterol levels may be associated with disease characteristics in multiple sclerosis, particularly with demyelination and immune response. This study found lower levels of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid cholesterol in patients with multiple sclerosis. Patients with positive oligoclonal bands had even lower cerebrospinal fluid cholesterol levels, which may be related to disease progression and enhanced humoral immune response.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2022)
Review
Clinical Neurology
K. Z. A. Domingues, A. F. Cobre, R. E. L. Lazo, L. S. Amaral, L. M. Ferreira, F. S. Tonin, R. Pontarolo
Summary: This study synthesized existing evidence on biomarkers related to neurological events in COVID-19 patients. The most frequently assessed biomarkers were neurofilament light chain (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). While these biomarkers were correlated with disease severity and outcomes, they were not necessarily associated with neurological events.
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Xiang Zhang, Hongjun Hao, Tao Jin, Wei Qiu, Huan Yang, Qun Xue, Jian Yin, Ziyan Shi, Hai Yu, Xiaopei Ji, Xiaobo Sun, Qiuming Zeng, Xiaoni Liu, Jingguo Wang, Huining Li, Xiaoyan He, Jing Yang, Yarong Li, Shuangshuang Liu, Alexander Y. Lau, Feng Gao, Shimin Hu, Shuguang Chu, Ding Ding, Hongyu Zhou, Haifeng Li, Xiangjun Chen
Summary: The nationwide prevalence of cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal band (CSF-OCB) in Chinese multiple sclerosis (MS) patients is 76.4%, and it demonstrates a good diagnostic performance in differentiating MS from other CNS diseases. The CSF-OCB prevalence in Chinese MS patients is correlated with high latitude and altitude.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Rebecca De Lorenzo, Nicola Lore, Annamaria Finardi, Alessandra Mandelli, Daniela M. Cirillo, Cristina Tresoldi, Francesco Benedetti, Fabio Ciceri, Patrizia Rovere-Querini, Giancarlo Comi, Massimo Filippi, Angelo A. Manfredi, Roberto Furlan
Summary: The study investigated the clinical prognostic value of markers of neural tissue damage in predicting survival or transfer to ICU in patients infected with COVID-19. Results showed that certain markers were significantly increased in patients with fatal outcomes or needing ICU transfer, with total tau levels accurately predicting mortality. Blood neural markers may offer additional prognostic value for predicting COVID-19 outcomes.
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Medha Tandon, Saurabh Kataria, Jenil Patel, Tejas R. Mehta, Maha Daimee, Viral Patel, Apoorv Prasad, Anisa Anila Chowdhary, Shruti Jaiswal, Shitiz Sriwastava
Summary: Limited literature exists on Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings in COVID-19 patients with neurological symptoms. Analysis of 113 patients showed elevated CSF protein levels in fatal cases and higher CSF protein and cell counts in severe cases. Further studies on the pathophysiology of neurological complications in COVID-19 are recommended.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Maor Mermelstein, Jonathan Naftali, Adi Wilf-Yarkoni, Itay Lotan, Mark Andrew Hellmann, Israel Steiner
Summary: This study retrospectively collected data from 48 patients with neurological diseases and found that approximately 12.5% of the patients had a change in their CSF OCBs status between two lumbar punctures. However, this change did not have a practical impact on the final diagnosis or clinical management of the patients.
JOURNAL OF THE NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Alexa Pichet Binette, Shorena Janelidze, Nicholas Cullen, Jeffrey L. Dage, Randall J. Bateman, Henrik Zetterberg, Kaj Blennow, Erik Stomrud, Niklas Mattsson-Carlgren, Oskar Hansson
Summary: This study found that creatinine and body mass index are associated with certain plasma biomarker levels, but they do not have clinically relevant confounding effects for the majority of individuals.
ALZHEIMERS & DEMENTIA
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Katharina Pannewitz-Makaj, Ulrich Wurster, Konstantin Fritz Jendretzky, Stefan Gingele, Kurt-Wolfram Suehs, Martin Stangel, Thomas Skripuletz, Philipp Schwenkenbecher
Summary: Cerebrospinal fluid analysis is crucial for the diagnosis of neurological disorders, with evidence of immunoglobulin synthesis being more common in inflammatory diseases. However, this phenomenon can also be found at a low frequency in non-inflammatory diseases.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ranjani Ganapathy Subramanian, Dana Horakova, Manuela Vaneckova, Balazs Lorincz, Jan Krasensky, Eva Kubala Havrdova, Tomas Uher
Summary: The study found that natalizumab treatment can reduce inflammatory markers in the cerebrospinal fluid of multiple sclerosis patients, decrease the levels of white blood cells and proteins, as well as the number of oligoclonal bands in the cerebrospinal fluid. Additionally, the baseline IgM index was found to predict brain volume loss during natalizumab treatment.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Peter G. E. Kennedy, Woro George, Xiaoli Yu
Summary: Intrathecal immunoglobulin G (IgG) and oligoclonal bands (OCBs) detected in both the brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are seminal features of multiple sclerosis (MS). The presence of OCBs correlates with elevated disease burden and severity and supports the diagnosis of MS. Despite numerous investigations, the precise antigenic specificity of OCBs remains elusive.
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
C. Kyllesbech, N. Trier, R. Slibinskas, E. Ciplys, A. Tsakiri, J. L. Frederiksen, G. Houen
Summary: Intrathecal antibody synthesis to viruses is associated with multiple sclerosis. This study found that IgG levels to certain viruses were elevated in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of multiple sclerosis patients, while levels of antibodies to other viruses were decreased. Additionally, antigen panels showed high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
JOURNAL OF NEUROIMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ulla Knorr, Anja Hviid Simonsen, Camilla Steen Jensen, Henrik Zetterberg, Kaj Blennow, Morten Akhoj, Julie Forman, Steen Gregers Hasselbalch, Lars Vedel Kessing
Summary: This case-control study investigated the differences in biomarkers of amyloid and neurodegenerative diseases between patients with bipolar disorder (BD) and healthy control individuals. The results showed a decrease in CSF A beta 42 levels during BD episodes, but no significant differences were found in other markers between BD patients and healthy controls.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Benjamin Vlad, Ina Reichen, Stephan Neidhart, Marc Hilty, Dimitra Lekaditi, Christine Heuer, Amanda Eisele, Mario Ziegler, Markus Reindl, Andreas Lutterotti, Axel Regeniter, Ilijas Jelcic
Summary: Basic CSF parameters vary considerably in different clinical phenotypes of MOGAD. Q(Alb)>10x10(-3) and absence of CSF-restricted OCB are highly useful to differentiate MOGAD from MS.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pathology
Louise Wienholt, Alisa Kane, Stephen Adelstein, Alexander Richardson, Kavitha Kothur, Fabienne Brilot, Russell C. Dale
Summary: CSF free light chain (FLC) analysis is a useful adjunct in diagnosing pediatric neuroinflammatory conditions, showing higher sensitivity and specificity in inflammatory diseases compared to traditional diagnostic tests, and better correlation with diagnostic classification of diseases.
Article
Neurosciences
Justyna Polak, Johanna H. Wagnerberger, Silje Boen Torsetnes, Ida Lindeman, Rune A. Aa. Hoglund, Frode Vartdal, Ludvig M. Sollid, Andreas Lossius
Summary: By analyzing single-cell RNA-seq data and mass spectrometry of intrathecally synthesized IgG, researchers identified the cellular source of oligoclonal IgG in multiple sclerosis. They found that the IgG mainly originated from clonally expanded antibody-secreting cells rather than individual cells. The study suggests heterogeneity among the cells that produce oligoclonal IgG in multiple sclerosis.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Elizabeth Souza Neves, Otavio Melo Espindola, Andre Curi, Maria Regina Amendoeira, Danielle Nascimento Rocha, Leonardo Henrique Ferreira Gomes, Leticia Cunha Guida
Summary: Toxoplasmosis is a widespread zoonotic disease that can cause a range of illnesses. While laboratory diagnosis often relies on detecting antibodies, PCR is suggested as a more reliable diagnostic tool. A study on individuals with acute acquired toxoplasmosis found that PCR did not detect any parasitic DNA, indicating the need for further research on parasitemia kinetics and the importance of serological criteria in diagnosis.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Caio Thomaz, Cintia Xavier de Mello, Otavio de Melo Espindola, Armando de Oliveira Shubach, Leonardo Pereira Quintella, Raquel Vasconcelos Carvalhaes de Oliveira, Adriane Correa Gomes Duarte, Maria Ines Fernandes Pimentel, Marcelo Rosandiski Lyra, Mauro Celio de Almeida Marzochi
Summary: Analysis of samples from ulcerated skin lesions in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis found higher parasite loads on the inner edge compared to the outer edge. This suggests that specimens from the inner edge are the most suitable for both molecular diagnosis and direct parasitological examination.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Otavio M. Espindola, Yago C. P. Gomes, Carlos Otavio Brandao, Rafael C. Torres, Marilda Siqueira, Cristiane N. Soares, Marco Antonio S. D. Lima, Ana Claudia C. B. Leite, Carolina O. Venturotti, Ana Julia C. Carvalho, Guilherme Torezani, Abelardo Q. C. Araujo, Marcus Tulius T. Silva
Summary: Patients with COVID-19 may present with various neurological manifestations, with inflammatory neurological diseases associated with elevated levels of multiple cytokines in the cerebrospinal fluid, while encephalopathy is associated with increased levels of inflammatory factors in the serum.
ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Letter
Clinical Neurology
Otavio M. Espindola, Yago C. P. Gomes, Marco Antonio S. D. Lima, Ana Claudia C. B. Leite, Abelardo Q. C. Araujo, Marcus Tulius T. Silva
ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Abelardo Araujo, Fabiola Martin
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Stephanie L. S. Penetra, Michele F. B. da Silva, Paola Resende, Anielle Pina-Costa, Heloisa F. P. Santos, Lusiele Guaraldo, Guilherme A. Calvet, Maria Ogrzewalska, Ighor Arantes, Ketiuce Zukeram, Mia F. de Araujo, Ana Beatriz Machado Lima, Renata Serrano Lopes, Larissa R. Lira-Silva, Isabella Moraes, Mayumi D. Wakimoto, Trevon L. Fuller, Claudia Raja Gabaglia, Otavio M. Espindola, Myrna C. Bonaldo, Claudio Tadeu Daniel-Ribeiro, Jimmy Whitworth, Chris Smith, Karin Nielsen-Saines, Alex Pauvolid-Correa, Marilda M. Siqueira, Patricia Brasil
Summary: We report a case of prolonged COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 Gamma variant in a fully vaccinated healthcare worker. Infections were confirmed by whole-genome sequencing and detection of neutralizing antibodies. Considering multiple factors, the healthcare worker may have benefited from an additional dose of a heterologous vaccine.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Virology
Junji Yamauchi, Kenichiro Tanabe, Tomoo Sato, Masanori Nakagawa, Eiji Matsuura, Yoshio Tsuboi, Keiko Tamaki, Hirokuni Sakima, Satoshi Ishihara, Yuki Ohta, Naoki Matsumoto, Kenichi Kono, Naoko Yagishita, Natsumi Araya, Katsunori Takahashi, Yasuo Kunitomo, Misako Nagasaka, Ariella Coler-Reilly, Yasuhiro Hasegawa, Abelardo Araujo, Steven Jacobson, Maria Fernanda Rios Grassi, Bernardo Galvao-Castro, Martin Bland, Graham P. Taylor, Fabiola Martin, Yoshihisa Yamano
Summary: This study found that corticosteroid therapy may have benefits for patients with HTLV-1-associated myelopathy.
Article
Immunology
Yago Cortes Pinheiro Gomes, Nicole Lardini Freitas, Flavia Santos Souza, Vanessa Sandim, Denise Abreu Pereira, Fabio Cesar Sousa Nogueira, Juliana Echevarria-Lima, Ana Claudia Celestino Bezerra Leite, Marco Antonio Sales Dantas Lima, Marcus Tulius Teixeira Silva, Abelardo Queiroz Campos Araujo, Ana Carolina Paulo Vicente, Otavio Melo Espindola
Summary: This study identified CHIT1 as a potential biomarker for predicting the prognosis of HAM/TSP. Higher levels of CHIT1 in the cerebrospinal fluid were associated with rapid progression of the disease and correlated with other biomarkers of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Nicole Lardini Freitas, Yago Cortes Pinheiro Gomes, Flavia dos Santos Souza, Rafael Carvalho Torres, Juliana Echevarria-Lima, Ana Claudia Celestino Bezerra Leite, Marco Antonio Sales Dantas Lima, Abelardo Queiroz Campos Araujo, Marcus Tulius Teixeira Silva, Otavio de Melo Espindola
Summary: This study aimed to identify biomarkers for HAM/TSP and potential mechanisms involved in disease development. The results showed that HAM/TSP patients had elevated levels of fractalkine in serum, and patients with normal levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed increased levels of beta-NGF in serum. Additionally, levels of BDNF in serum were increased in HTLV-1-infected individuals, while TGF-beta 1 levels in CSF were lower in both HTLV-1 AC and HAM/TSP patients compared to uninfected individuals.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Otavio Melo Espindola, Trevon L. Fuller, Mia Ferreira de Araujo, Luis Fernando Lopez Tort, Lusiele Guaraldo, Guilherme Calvet, Paola Resende, Myrna Bonaldo, Jimmy Whitworth, Chris Smith, Marilda Siqueira, Patricia Brasil
Summary: COVID-19 vaccines have reduced rates of severe infection requiring hospitalization but are less effective against SARS-CoV-2 variants in preventing symptomatic infection. This study examined the antibodies generated after complete vaccination and boosting, finding that binding antibodies decayed slowly in individuals under 60 with hybrid immunity. Neutralizing antibodies against Omicron BA.1 were lower compared to other variants. The response to the first booster dose was stronger than the response to the second booster dose. Monitoring the effects of SARS-CoV-2 mutations on disease severity and therapeutic effectiveness is important.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Felipe R. Schmidt, Evandro S. F. Coutinho, Marco A. Lima, Marcus T. T. Silva, Ana C. C. B. Leite, Igor O. Fonseca, Abelardo Q. C. Araujo
Summary: This study evaluated the performance of a specific instrument from Brazil's Fiocruz National Institute of Infectious Diseases in measuring the degree of physical disability in HAM/TSP patients. The instrument showed high reliability, good correlation with other scales, and good acceptance among users.
JOURNAL OF NEUROVIROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Sofia Mermelstein, Victor Evangelista Rodrigues Pereira, Paulo de Lima Serrano, Rachel Alencar de Castro Araujo Pastor, Abelardo Queiroz Campos Araujo
Summary: This article reviews the importance of clinical examination of the olfactory nerve, highlighting its value and role in the diagnosis of diseases such as COVID-19 infection. By analyzing a large number of literature, practical techniques and clinical tips for assessing the olfactory system are provided, which may be valuable to clinicians.
ARQUIVOS DE NEURO-PSIQUIATRIA
(2022)