[Clinical spectrum associated with aquaporin-4 antibodies (NMO-IgG)].

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

The description of a highly sensitive and specific biomarker for neuromyelitis optica (NMO-IgG/aquaporin-4 antibody) extended the clinical spectrum of NMO to limited forms such as optic neuritis (ON) and longitudinally extensive myelitis (LEM).

OBJECTIVE:

To asses the sensitivity and specificity of our assay, and to describe the clinical characteristics of the patients who were tested for NMO-IgG.

METHODS:

NMO-IgG was analysed by immunohistochemistry and confirmed by assay on HEK cells transfected with aquaporin-4. The clinical information was obtained from forms filled in by the referring neurologists.

RESULTS:

A total of 580 samples from 518 patients were analysed from November 2005 to September 2008. Clinical information was available from 358 (68%) patients. All 33 (100%) positive cases were followed up. Twenty-eight of the 43 (65%) patients diagnosed with NMO by the revised criteria of 2006 were positive; the sensitivity was 62.5% when applying the same criteria, but discounting the criterion of NMO-IgG status, or 57% when applying the criteria of 1999. NMO-IgG was detected in 3 (13%) of the recurrent LEM and 2 (4%) of the recurrent ON. NMO-IgG was not detected in the remaining patients (96 with a final diagnosis of multiple sclerosis; 80 with myelitis; 28 with non-recurrent ON; and 33 other diagnosis).

CONCLUSIONS:

No false positive cases were found in this large and non-selected study. NMO-IgG positive cases were mostly associated with NMO, and only in a low percentage with recurrent ON or LEM.

• Authors: Y Blanco, K Hankiewicz, S Llufriu, L Sabater, F Graus, A Saiz, Grupo Español de Neuromielitis Optica
• Journal: Neurologia (Barcelona, Spain) (Neurologia) 2010 Jan-Feb Vol. 25 Issue 1 Pg. 5-12 ISSN: 0213-4853 [Print] Spain
• Vernacular Title: Espectro clínico asociado a anticuerpos contra acuaporina 4 (IgG-NMO).
• PMID: 20388455 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Aquaporin 4
• Autoantibodies
• Biomarkers
• Immunoglobulin G

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Age of Onset
• Aged
• Aquaporin 4 (genetics, immunology)
• Autoantibodies (immunology)
• Biomarkers (metabolism)
• Cell Line
• Child
• Female
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin G (immunology)
• Immunohistochemistry
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neuromyelitis Optica (immunology, pathology, physiopathology)
• Retrospective Studies
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Young Adult