title: Multiparametric serological testing in autoimmune encephalitis using computer-aided immunofluorescence microscopy (CAIFM).
abstract: Autoantibodies against neuronal cell surface antigens are tightly associated with immunotherapy-responsive autoimmune encephalitis, and a considerable number of corresponding autoantigens has been identified in recent years. Most patients initially present with overlapping symptoms, and a broad range of autoantibodies has to be considered to establish the correct diagnosis and initiate treatment as soon as possible to prevent irreversible and sometimes even life-threatening damage to the brain. Recombinant cell-based immunofluorescence allows to authentically present fragile membrane-associated surface antigens and, in combination with multiparametric analysis in the form of biochip mosaics, has turned out to be highly beneficial for parallel and prompt determination of anti-neuronal autoantibodies and comprehensive differential diagnostics. For the evaluation of recombinant cell-based IIFT, a semi-automated novel function was introduced into an established platform for computer-aided immunofluorescence microscopy. The system facilitates the microscopic analysis of the tests and supports the laboratory personnel in the rapid issuance of diagnostic findings, which is of major importance for autoimmune encephalitis patients since timely initiation of treatment may lead to their full recovery.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Experimental Immunology, Euroimmun AG, Seekamp 31, 23560 Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fraune
authors.affiliation: Institute for Experimental Immunology, Euroimmun AG, Seekamp 31, 23560 Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gerlach
authors.affiliation: Institute for Experimental Immunology, Euroimmun AG, Seekamp 31, 23560 Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rentzsch
authors.affiliation: Institute for Experimental Immunology, Euroimmun AG, Seekamp 31, 23560 Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Bianca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Teegen
authors.affiliation: Institute for Experimental Immunology, Euroimmun AG, Seekamp 31, 23560 Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lederer
authors.affiliation: Institute for Experimental Immunology, Euroimmun AG, Seekamp 31, 23560 Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Affeldt
authors.affiliation: Institute for Experimental Immunology, Euroimmun AG, Seekamp 31, 23560 Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fechner
authors.affiliation: Institute for Experimental Immunology, Euroimmun AG, Seekamp 31, 23560 Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Maick
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Danckwardt
authors.affiliation: Institute for Experimental Immunology, Euroimmun AG, Seekamp 31, 23560 Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Jörn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Voigt
authors.affiliation: Institute for Experimental Immunology, Euroimmun AG, Seekamp 31, 23560 Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Probst
authors.affiliation: Institute for Experimental Immunology, Euroimmun AG, Seekamp 31, 23560 Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Komorowski
authors.affiliation: Institute for Experimental Immunology, Euroimmun AG, Seekamp 31, 23560 Lübeck, Germany. Electronic address: w.stoecker@euroimmun.de.
authors.forename: Winfried
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Stöcker
mesh_terms: D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D050031:Hashimoto Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies
keywords: Anti-neuronal autoantibody; Autoimmune encephalitis; Computer-aided immunofluorescence microscopy (CAIFM); Recombinant cell-based assay