Relevance of immunological variables in neuroborreliosis and multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
The aims were to investigate the frequency of intrathecal synthesis of specific antibodies against measles (M), rubella (R) and varicella zoster (Z) viruses (MRZ reaction) as a diagnostic marker between multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuroborreliosis (NB) groups and to postulate the most typical cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) variables profile of these entities.


METHODS
Three cohorts of patients were investigated: MS (n = 42), NB (n = 27) and other neurological diseases (OND) (n = 15). Measles, rubella, varicella zoster and borrelia-specific IgG antibodies were measured by ELISA, Q(alb) (CSF/serum albumin ratio) as a marker of blood-CSF barrier function and specific antibody indices (AI) were calculated according to relevant formulae. IgG oligoclonal bands (OB) were detected by isoelectric focusing and immunoenzymatic staining.


RESULTS
Eighty-eight percent of MS patients had positive MRZ reaction and 26.2% had positive anti-borrelia AI. Eighty-nine percent of NB patients had positive anti-borrelia AI and two patients had individually anti-measles and rubella positive AI. MS-CSF variables profile included the presence of IgG OB in 81%, elevated Q(alb) in 31% and normal cell count in 66.7%. Of NB patients IgG OB were positive in 74%, elevated Q(alb) in 81.5% and normal cell count in 7.4%.


CONCLUSIONS
MRZ reaction was proved as statistically significant marker in differential diagnosis between MS and NB. Typical CSF variables profile of these two entities is highly supportive, especially when MRZ is included.
Bednárová
J
J
Department of Clinical Microbiology, Faculty Hospital, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
Stourac
P
P
Adam
P
P
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000276:immunology; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000276:immunology; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D020852:Lyme Neuroborreliosis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D008457:Measles / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D008459:Measles virus / Q000276:immunology; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D043025:Oligoclonal Bands / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012409:Rubella / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D012412:Rubella virus / Q000276:immunology
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D043025:Oligoclonal Bands