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Updated: Sep 4, 2025
Induction and Clinical Scoring of Chronic-Relapsing Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Published on: July 4, 2007
Prevalence of iatrogenic CNS inflammation at a tertiary neuroimmunology clinic
Hannah Kelly1, Jessica Johnson1, Collin Jakubecz1
1Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Program, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA; Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA; University Hospitals Specialty Pharmacy, Cleveland, OH, USA; VA Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence, Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Background:
Various vaccines, tumor-necrosis-factor-alpha inhibitors (TNFAIs), immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), and other immunomodulators have been linked to inflammatory CNS events. The prevalence of iatrogenic events in the neuroimmunology clinic is unknown.
Objective:
To evaluate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of iatrogenic CNS inflammation in a tertiary neuroimmunology clinic.
Methods:
We analyzed 422 consecutive patients seen over five years at a tertiary neuroimmunology clinic who were systematically screened for exposure to vaccines, TNFAIs, ICIs, or other immunomodulators. In patients with suspected iatrogenic events, the Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction Probability Scale was used to score the probability of iatrogenicity.
Results:
In total, 27 potential iatrogenic events were observed, accounting for 6.4% of all new referrals. The average Naranjo score was 5.78 +/- 1.65 with 74% of the cases scored as probable and 26% scored as possible. The clinical phenotypes included MS relapses (37%); autoimmune encephalitis (30%); NMOSD attacks (15%); transverse myelitis (11%); optic neuritis (4%); and MOGAD attacks (4%). A monophasic course was observed in 44% of cases while 41% had a relapsing course. All patients stopped or interrupted treatment with the offending agent. In addition, 41% of the iatrogenic events were fully responsive to corticosteroids; 22% were partially responsive; and 15% resolved spontaneously. The most common potential triggers were vaccines (37%) followed by TNFAIs (33%) then ICIs (26%). A significantly higher number of probable iatrogenic events were observed among the ICI and vaccine groups compared to a higher number of possible events among the TNFAI group. The latter group also had a significantly longer interval since exposure. The ICI group was more likely to present with monophasic autoimmune encephalitis.
Conclusion:
Iatrogenic CNS inflammation is rare and typically involves steroid-responsive monophasic events. A subset of iatrogenic events can unmask or worsen relapsing disorders. The probability of iatrogenicity was higher in vaccine and ICI-related events compared to TNFAI-related events.
