Anti-CD20 treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) blunts the post-COVID-19 humoral immune response, according to new research. The multicentre observational study included 474 patients with MS and related conditions who had a diagnosis of COVID-19. Of the patients not on anti-CD20 treatment, 85% were positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, compared with just 39.5% of patients on anti-CD20 treatment. This statistically significant difference (P < 0.0001) has implications for natural and vaccine-mediated immunity in patients receiving anti-CD20 treatment for MS.
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Klineova, S. et al. Outcomes of COVID-19 infection in multiple sclerosis and related conditions: one-year pandemic experience of the multicenter New York COVID-19 Neuroimmunology Consortium (NYCNIC). Mult. Scler. Relat. Disord. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2021.103153 (2021)
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Lemprière, S. Multiple sclerosis treatment blunts SARS-CoV-2 antibody response. Nat Rev Neurol 17, 525 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-021-00551-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-021-00551-3