Immunologic characterization of a immunosuppressed multiple sclerosis patient that recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection

J Neuroimmunol. 2020 Aug 15:345:577282. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2020.577282. Epub 2020 May 29.

Abstract

A multiple sclerosis patient infected by SARS-CoV-2 during fingolimod therapy was hospitalized with moderate clinical features, and recovered in 15 days. High levels of CCL5 and CCL10 chemokines and of antibody-secreting B cells were detected, while the levels other B- and T-cell subsets were comparable to that of appropriate controls. However, CD4+ and CD8+ cells were oligoclonally expanded and prone to apoptosis when stimulated in vitro. This study suggests that fingolimod-immunosuppressed patients, despite the low circulating lymphocytes, may rapidly expand antibody-secreting cells and mount an effective immune response that favors COVID-19 recovery after drug discontinuation.

Keywords: COVID-19; Fingolimod; Multiple sclerosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / complications*
  • Coronavirus Infections / immunology*
  • Female
  • Fingolimod Hydrochloride / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / drug therapy
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / immunology*
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / virology*
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / complications*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / immunology*
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Fingolimod Hydrochloride