Screening neuromyelitis optica patients for COVID-19 infection

Abstract

Dear editor, Nowadays, SARS CoV 2 a new coronavirus with high infect ability, is in pandemic stage and most countries all over the world are involved [1]. Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) affecting women more than men [2]. Treatment options include immuno-suppressive agents which may predispose patients to the wide range of infections such as COVID-19. So, careful monitoring of NMO patients is essential and neurologists have to pay attention to these cases such as other patients with autoimmune diseases like Multiple sclerosis (MS) [3].We designed this study to screen NMO patients for COVID-19 infection during the pandemic stage. The study was performed in accordance with good clinical practice and the Declaration of Helsinki.