Key words
We thank Dr. Finsterer for his interest and critical appraisal of our publication entitled “Myoclonus status revealing COVID 19 infection ”.
In his comment, the author raised concerns regarding the possible link between myoclonus and anti-COVID 19 vaccination, especially that the patient did not present any respiratory symptoms.
However, our patient presented diarrhea which is recognized as one of the main COVID-19 infection symptoms [
[1]
]. Therefore, it is difficult to incriminate the vaccine in myoclonus genesis in presence of confirmed infection. Besides, more cases of COVID-19 related [[2]
] than vaccine-related myoclonus [[3]
] have been reported in the literature. However, vaccine-aggravating effect could be considered especially since worsening of preexistant myoclonus was previously reported [[4]
]. Thus, in our case, the myoclonus was more likely related to the COVID-19 infection with possible vaccine potentiator effect.The author also pointed out the crucial role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents in the context of a clinical immune-encephalitis work-up.
Indeed, the patient underwent a brain MRI with gadolinium but there no pathological enhancement was seen.
We appreciate peer review both before and after publication, as this is necessary to ensure the accuracy of reported findings and strengthens the conclusions.
Declaration of Competing Interest
We, Dina Ben Mohamed, Rania Zouari, Jihen Ketata, Fatma Nabli, and Samia Ben Sassi, authors of the article “Letter to editor response: Why myoclonus is linked to COVID19 infection, Not to anti-COVID 19 vaccine” attest that we have none declared under financial, general and institutional competing interests
References
- Covid-19 vaccines and neurological complications: a systematic review.Z Naturforschung C J Biosci. 2022 Sep 12;
- Neuro-COVID-19.Clin Exp Neuroimmunol. 2022 Feb; 13: 17-23
- Spectrum of neurological complications following COVID-19 vaccination.Neurol Sci Off J Ital Neurol Soc Ital Soc Clin Neurophysiol. 2022 Jan; 43: 3-40
- SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-related neurological complications.Neurol Sci Off J Ital Neurol Soc Ital Soc Clin Neurophysiol. 2022 Apr; 43: 2295-2297
Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
December 29,
2022
Received:
December 27,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Journal Pre-ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2022 British Epilepsy Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
