Neuromyelitis optic spectrum disorder following COVID- 19 (ChAdOx1-S) vaccine

Abstract

Neuromyelitis optic spectrum disorder is an autoimmune demyelinating astro- cytopathy of central nervous system. It has emerged as a distinct clinical entity following the discovery of pathogenic antibody named AQP4-IgG against aquaporin-4 water channels in astrocytes. The clinical spectrum includes optic neuritis, acute myelitis, acute brain stem syndrome, area postrema syndrome, acute diencephalic syndrome and symptomatic cerebral syndrome.This case describes a young male patient who presented with subacute onset painful visual impairment of left eye along with bilateral lower limb weakness and numbness in the background of recent vaccination for covid-19 infection. Examination revealed bilateral papillitis and bilateral flaccid paraparesis with a sensory level at T4 level. Investigations revealed a longitudinally extensive myelitis spanning the entire length of the spinal cord, bilateral optic neuritis, positive serum AQP4-IgG antibodies with negative infective screening and autoimmune profile. Central nervous system demyelination has been observed with all types of covid-19 vaccines.