Combination therapy for multiple sclerosis in children

• Main Authors: N. V. Skripchenko, G. P. Ivanova, A. V. Surovtseva, E. Yu. Skripchenko, K. V. Serednyakov
• Format: Article
• Language: Russian
• Published: Ltd. “The National Academy of Pediatric Science and Innovation” 2016-04-01
• Series: Rossijskij Vestnik Perinatologii i Pediatrii
• Subjects: children; multiple sclerosis; cascade plasma filtration; antiviral therapy
• Online Access: https://www.ped-perinatology.ru/jour/article/view/303

The efficiency of combination therapy for multiple sclerosis was evaluated in 40 children aged 10 to 17 years. Two groups matched for major clinical and laboratory parameters were treated every 6 months during 3 years. Both groups received one cascade plasma filtration session using plasma Evaflux 2A (Japan) and then intravenous immunoglobulins G during 2 days. Unlike the comparison group (n=10), the study group (n=30) had additionally antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy; the volume and duration of which were determined by the presence or absence of Herpesviridae reactivation in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and/or blood. The performed therapy was established to have a positive effect in 90% of the patients in both groups, but the study group showed valid more significant results and achieved decreased reactivation of chronic herpesvirus infections (predominantly that with Epstein–Barr virus and herpesvirus 6) in CSF and blood and reductions in EDSS scores in 80% of cases, by an average of 61%, and in the annual rates of exacerbations by 46%.