Serial magnetic resonance imaging studies with paramagnetic contrast medium: assessment of disease activity in patients with multiple sclerosis before and after influenza vaccination.
Eleven patients with a relapsing-remitting form of multiple sclerosis (MS) were examined clinically and with magnetic resonance imaging scans 3 weeks before, at the day of vaccination with killed influenza virus and 3 weeks afterwards. No exacerbations were noted in the pre- or postvaccination period. Eight contrast-enhanced or active lesions were present at the onset of the study. Three new active lesions appeared at the end of the prevaccination period while only 1 new active lesion was found at the end of the postvaccination period. We conclude that vaccination with killed influenza virus has no clinical or subclinical short-term effect on the activity of MS.
Michielsens
B
B
Department of Neurology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.
Wilms
G
G
Marchal
G
G
Carton
H
H
D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D003287:Contrast Media; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated / Q000009:adverse effects
D003287:Contrast Media; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated; C050823:gadolinium 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N'',N'''-tetraacetate