Intrathecal IgM-synthesis does not correlate with the risk of relapse in patients with a primary demyelinating event.
The objective of this study was to investigate, whether the presence of oligoclonal immunoglobulin M bands (IgM-OCB) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), which is suggestive for the first clinical manifestation of multiple sclerosis (MS), anticipates the risk of a relapse during a retrospective study period of 21-106 months (mean 60 +/- 25). A relapse would lead to the diagnosis of clinically definite MS. Paired CSF and serum samples from 42 patients with a CIS and positive intrathecal IgG-synthesis were tested retrospectively for IgM-OCB, which are exclusively present in CSF, but not in the corresponding serum. Isoelectric focusing and affinity blot were used and clinical follow-up was based on telephone interviews. IgM-OCB were found in the CSF from 31 of 42 patients (74%). There was no correlation between the presence of IgM-OCB, the number of such bands or the IgM-Index on the one hand and the risk of a relapse during the follow-up in the cohort studied, on the other hand. These data do not support the idea that the presence of IgM-OCB in CSF might predict an unfavourable course in MS.
Department of Neurology, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
R
R
Schneider
B
B
Euler
S
S
Rauer
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000276:immunology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007525:Isoelectric Focusing; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D043025:Oligoclonal Bands / Q000032:analysis* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D043025:Oligoclonal Bands