Implications of monoclonal gammopathy and isoelectric focusing pattern 5 on the free light chain kappa diagnostics in cerebrospinal fluid.

OBJECTIVES: Oligoclonal bands (OCB) analysis is the reference standard for detecting an intrathecal IgG synthesis. Alongside OCB, free light chains kappa (FLCκ) are considered an additional sensitive biomarker for determining patterns 2 or 3, indicating intrathecal Ig synthesis. However, kFLC IF is not suitable for detecting a monoclonal pattern 5. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of incorporating FLCκ analysis into routine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diagnostics instead of OCB testing on the rate of missed monoclonal IgG detection. METHODS: A two-center retrospective biomarker study was conducted. OCB were identified using isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gels followed by silver staining or in agarose gels followed by immunofixation. FLCκ were quantified using nephelometry and FLCκ assay (Siemens). RESULTS: Out of a combined total of 17,755 OCB analyses conducted between 2011 and 2021, a subset of 269 cases (1.5 %) exhibited pattern 5. 98 samples (36 %), which included 18 samples with intrathecal inflammation as determined by additional OCB pattern 2 were included in the FLCκ analysis. Of those, 16 (89 %) had intrathecal FLCκ synthesis. CONCLUSIONS: While FLCκ offers a promising avenue for detecting an intrathecal inflammation, the pattern 5, though rare, remains a valuable additional finding of OCB analysis. A combined approach of FLCκ and OCB analysis is recommended for a comprehensive assessment of the humoral intrathecal immune response.

The Influence of the Ventricular-Lumbar Gradient on Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis in Serial Samples.

BACKGROUND: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from patients with non-inflammatory neurological diseases are used for control groups in biomarker studies. Since large amounts of CSF are withdrawn, patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) or normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) are especially suitable. The serially taken CSF portions are usually collected in different tubes. We aimed to investigate whether the later random choice of one of these tubes for CSF investigations might harbor the risk of different CSF protein findings due to the so-called ventriculo-lumbar CSF gradient. METHODS: Patients with IIH (9) and NPH (7) were included. CSF was serially taken and collected in six tubes of 5 mL each. Concentrations and CSF-serum quotients of immunoglobulins, albumin and the virus-specific antibody index (AI) were determined in the first, fourth and sixth CSF fraction. RESULTS: CSF immunoglobulin and albumin concentrations and CSF-serum protein quotients were significantly lower in the fourth and sixth CSF fraction compared with the first CSF fraction. Virus-specific AI did not significantly differ in the different CSF fractions. CONCLUSIONS: CSF protein analytics should be performed in the first CSF fraction in order to avoid different measurement results and achieve comparability within a control group and between different control and patient groups.

The Influence of Renal Function Impairment on Kappa Free Light Chains in Cerebrospinal Fluid.

BACKGROUND: The determination of kappa free light chains (KFLC) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is an upcoming biomarker for the detection of an intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis. Since renal function impairment leads to altered serum KFLC and albumin concentrations, interpretation of KFLC in CSF may be influenced by these parameters. METHODS: In this two-center study, the influence of renal function (according to the CKD-EPI creatinine equation) on KFLC and albumin concentrations was investigated in patients with "physiological" (n = 139), "non-inflammatory" (n = 146), and "inflammatory" (n = 172) CSF profiles in respect to the KFLC index and the evaluation in quotient diagrams in reference to the hyperbolic reference range (KFLC IF). RESULTS: All sample groups displayed declining KFLC indices and KFLC IF values with decreasing renal function (P-values between <.0001 and .0209). In "inflammatory" CSF profile samples, 15% of the patients presented a KFLC index <5.9 while 10% showed an intrathecal KFLC fraction below QKappa(lim), suggesting possible false negative KFLC results. CONCLUSIONS: The influence of renal function should be considered while interpreting KFLC results in patients with neuroinflammatory diseases. The interpretation of KFLC in quotient diagrams is less susceptible to renal function impairment than the KFLC index and should be preferentially used.

Evidence of Oligoclonal Bands Does Not Exclude Non-Inflammatory Neurological Diseases.

Cerebrospinal fluid analysis is an essential part of the diagnostic workup in various neurological disorders. Evidence of an intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis, as demonstrated by Reiber's diagram or the more sensitive oligoclonal bands (OCB), are typical for neuroinflammatory diseases, and normally not expected in non-inflammatory neurological diseases. Therefore, patients with non-inflammatory neurological diseases are often used in control groups in studies investigating autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system. However, data about the frequency of intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis in non-inflammatory neurological disease are scarce. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) records of a total of 3622 patients were screened and 2114 patients included with presumably non-inflammatory neurological diseases like dementia, idiopathic peripheral neuropathy, motoneuron disease, stroke, and epileptic seizures. Evidence of an intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis can be found with low frequency also in non-inflammatory neurological diseases. A much higher rate of patients showed intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis as demonstrated by OCB than by Reiber's diagram. In patients with disorders of the peripheral nervous system the frequency of OCB was much lower than in patients presenting with central nervous system manifestations. Evidence of an intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis should not automatically lead to exclusion of non-inflammatory neurological diseases but should rather prompt the way to investigate for the origin of the intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis.

The Impact of Immunomodulatory Treatment on Kappa Free Light Chains as Biomarker in Neuroinflammation.

BACKGROUND: Kappa free light chains (KFLC) are a promising new biomarker to detect neuroinflammation. Still, the impact of pre-analytical effects on KFLC concentrations was not investigated. METHODS: KFLC concentrations were measured in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with a newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis (MS) or clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) before (n = 42) or after therapy with high-dose methylprednisolone (n = 65). In prospective experiments, KFLC concentrations were analyzed in the same patients in serum before and after treatment with high-dose methylprednisolone (n = 16), plasma exchange (n = 12), immunoadsorption (n = 10), or intravenous immunoglobulins (n = 10). In addition, the influence of storage time, sample method, and contamination of CSF with blood were investigated. RESULTS: Patients diagnosed with MS/CIS and treated with methylprednisolone showed significantly lower KFLC concentrations in serum as untreated patients. Repeated longitudinal investigations revealed that serum KFLC concentrations continuously decreased after each application of methylprednisolone. In contrast, other immune therapies and further pre-analytical conditions did not influence KFLC concentrations. CONCLUSION: Our results show prominent effects of steroids on KFLC concentrations. In contrast, various other pre-analytical conditions did not influence KFLC concentrations, indicating the stability of this biomarker.

Reiber's Diagram for Kappa Free Light Chains: The New Standard for Assessing Intrathecal Synthesis?

Oligoclonal bands are the gold standard for determination of an intrathecal immunoglobulin G synthesis and were recently included in the McDonald criteria of 2017 to diagnose relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) as a substitute for dissemination in time. Intrathecally produced kappa free light chains (KFLC) are a novel promising biomarker with similar characteristics and the advantage for automated determination. However, different approaches exist to determine the intrathecal KFLC fraction. The most common method is to calculate the CSF/serum KFLC quotient with reference to the albumin CSF/serum quotient (QKappa/QAlb) the so-called KFLC index. Recently, Reiber developed a theoretically and empirically founded hyperbolic function similar to his traditional hyperbolic function for the immunoglobulins A, G, M. Our study included a total of 168 patients with either MS according to the McDonald criteria of 2017, clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) with conversion to MS during follow-up, or stable CIS. Positive oligoclonal bands were compared with the KFLC index, Reiber's KFLC diagram, Presslauer's KFLC exponential curve, and Senel's linear curve for KFLC. Reiber's diagram detected an intrathecal production of KFLC in 98/100 patients with MS, only one patient fewer than oligoclonal bands positivity (99/100). By using the KFLC index ≥ 5.9, Presslauer's KFLC exponential function, and Senel's linear curve two more patients would not have been identified (96/100). For the group of patients who converted from CIS to MS similar results were obtained for both the oligoclonal bands and the Reiber graph (21/24, 88%). The KFLC index ≥ 5.9, Presslauer's method, and Senel's linear function each identified two patients fewer (19/24, 79%). In patients with stable CIS, 11/44 patients (25%) displayed oligoclonal bands in contrast to 9/44 patients (20%) with elevated KFLC by using Reiber's diagram and Presslauer's method, 8/44 patients (18%) with elevated KFLC as detected by Senel's linear function, and 7/44 patients (16%) with KFLC index ≥ 5.9. In conclusion, Reiber's KFLC diagram shows a great diagnostic performance to detect an intrathecal KFLC production in patients with MS.

Leptomeningeal Metastasis: The Role of Cerebrospinal Fluid Diagnostics.

Background: Metastatic spread into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) represents a severe complication of malignant disease with poor prognosis. Although early diagnosis is crucial, broad spectrums of clinical manifestations, and pitfalls of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CSF diagnostics can be challenging. Data are limited how CSF parameters and MRI findings relate to each other in patients with leptomeningeal metastasis. Methods: Patients with malignant cells in CSF cytology examination diagnosed between 1998 and 2016 at the Department of Neurology in the Hannover Medical School were included in this study. Clinical records, MRI findings and CSF parameters were retrospectively analyzed. Results: One hundred thirteen patients with leptomeningeal metastasis were identified. Seventy-six patients (67%) suffered from a solid malignancy while a hematological malignancy was found in 37 patients (33%). Cerebral signs and symptoms were most frequently found (78% in solid vs. 49% in hematological malignancies) followed by cranial nerve impairment (26% in solid vs. 46% in hematological malignancies) and spinal symptoms (26% in solid vs. 27% in hematological malignancies). In patients with malignant cells in CSF MRI detected signs of leptomeningeal metastasis in 62% of patients with solid and in only 33% of patients with hematological malignancies. Investigations of standard CSF parameters revealed a normal CSF cell count in 21% of patients with solid malignancies and in 8% of patients with hematological malignancies. Blood-CSF-barrier dysfunction was found in most patients (80% in solid vs. 92% in hematological malignancies). Elevated CSF lactate levels occurred in 68% of patients in solid and in 48% of patients with hematological malignancies. A high number of patients (30% in solid vs. 26% in hematological malignancies) exhibited oligoclonal bands in CSF. Significant correlations between the presence of leptomeningeal enhancement demonstrated by MRI and CSF parameters (cell count, lactate levels, and CSF/Serum albumin quotient) were not found in both malignancy groups. Conclusion: CSF examination is helpful to detect leptomeningeal metastasis since the diagnosis can be challenging especially when MRI is negative. CSF cytological investigation is mandatory whenever leptomeningeal metastasis is suspected, even when CSF cell count is normal.

Investigation of Oligoclonal IgG Bands in Tear Fluid of Multiple Sclerosis Patients.

Background: Oligoclonal IgG bands (OCB) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) represent a typical marker for inflammation in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and have a predictive and diagnostic value in patients with a first suspected demyelinating event. The detection in tears remains controversial but some reports suggested a replacement of CSF analysis by OCB detection in tears. We aimed to investigate the value of OCB detection in tears systematically in patients with MS. Methods: Tears of 59 patients with suspected or diagnosed MS were collected with Schirmer filter paper strips. Tear IgG was purified by affinity chromatography with protein G. After isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gels OCB detection was performed with direct silver staining. Paired triplets of CSF, serum, and tears were analyzed. For comparison purposes we additionally used other tear collection methods (flush procedure and plastic capillary tubes) or detection techniques (Immunoblotting). Clinical and paraclinical parameters are provided. Results: IgG collection in tears was most reliable by using Schirmer strips. Thirteen patients had to be excluded due to insufficient sample material. Tear specific proteins that interfered with OCB detection were successfully eliminated by IgG purification. The concordance of OCB in tears and CSF of all investigated MS patients was 39% with a high rate of only marginal pattern in tears. Five patients demonstrated restricted bands in tears, neither detectable in CSF nor serum. Occurrence of OCB in tears was significantly associated with pathological visual evoked potentials (P = 0.0094) and a history of optic neuritis (P = 0.0258). Conclusion: Due to the limited concordance, high rate of samples with insufficient material, and the unknown origin of tear IgG we cannot recommend that tear OCB detection may replace CSF OCB detection in MS patients. The detection of unique OCB in tears might offer new insights in ophthalmological diseases.

The Influence of Blood Contamination on Cerebrospinal Fluid Diagnostics.

Background: Blood contamination due to traumatic lumbar puncture presents a diagnostic pitfall in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. It is controversially discussed if phagocytosis of erythrocytes which can be found in the CSF after subarachnoid hemorrhage can also develop in vitro in the presence of artificial blood contamination. Furthermore, there is no consensus about the acceptable amount of artificial blood contamination on CSF protein results. Methods: Two measurement series were performed in order to investigate the role of artificial blood contamination on the possible development of erythrophages and siderophages in the CSF: (1) blood contamination was simulated in vitro by adding blood into the CSF. (2) CSF was investigated when blood contamination occurred during a traumatic lumbar puncture. In both types of experiments, CSF including blood was incubated for 24 h and for 72 h at room temperature or at 4°C. In the third measurement series, the effects of artificial blood contamination on CSF protein results were investigated. Blood contamination was simulated in vitro by adding different amounts of blood ending up with five different samples containing erythrocyte counts of 2,500, 5,000, 7,500, 10,000, and 20,000 per µl CSF. Results: Cytological examination revealed no evidence of erythrophages or siderophages in vitro. In contrast, already a low blood contamination (2,500 erythrocytes/µl CSF) led to false pathological results of total protein and albumin. Along with increasing amounts of blood, the frequency of false pathological protein results increased. A blood contamination of 5,000 erythrocytes/µl CSF resulted in a false positive intrathecal IgM production in nearly every fifth patient. In contrast, blood contamination with 5,000 erythrocytes/µl CSF was the acceptable amount of blood which did not lead to a false positive intrathecal synthesis of IgG and IgA. Conclusion: Erythrophages and siderophages do not develop in vitro. An extensive diagnostic work up for the source of blood in the CSF should be performed when erythrophages or siderophages are found in the CSF. The contamination of CSF with increasing volume of blood resulted in falsely elevated CSF protein concentrations. Hence, the amount of blood contamination has to be taken into consideration when interpreting CSF protein measurement results.

Impact of the McDonald Criteria 2017 on Early Diagnosis of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic immune mediated demyelinating disease leading to neurological disabilities that need to be diagnosed and treated early. Guidelines on multiple sclerosis diagnosis and monitoring experienced comprehensive changes over the last decades. The first McDonald criteria published in 2001 emphasized the importance of MR imaging but also recognized the role of cerebrospinal fluid diagnostics. The demonstration of an intrathecal immunoglobulin G synthesis is a well-established additional component and has a long tradition in the diagnosis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. However, the role of cerebrospinal fluid for diagnostic purposes was rather diminished in each revision of the McDonald criteria. In the latest revision of the McDonald criteria of 2017, the detection of an intrathecal immunoglobulin G synthesis as oligoclonal bands experienced a revival. Patients with the first clinical event suggesting multiple sclerosis who fulfill the criteria for dissemination in space can be diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis when oligoclonal bands in cerebrospinal fluid are detected. The diagnostic sensitivity of these novel criteria with a focus on dissemination in time and oligoclonal bands as a substitute for dissemination in time was published in different cohorts in the last year and is of special interest in this review. Recently published data show that by applying the 2017 McDonald criteria, multiple sclerosis can be diagnosed more frequently at the time of first clinical event as compared to the 2010 McDonald criteria. The main effect was due to the implementation of oligoclonal bands as a substitute for dissemination in time. However, careful differential diagnosis is essential in patients with atypical clinical manifestations to avoid misdiagnoses.

The Persisting Significance of Oligoclonal Bands in the Dawning Era of Kappa Free Light Chains for the Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis.

The latest revision of the McDonald criteria of 2017 considers the evidence of an intrathecal immunoglobulin (IgG) synthesis as a diagnostic criterion for dissemination in time in multiple sclerosis. While the detection of oligoclonal bands is considered as the gold standard, determination of kappa free light chains might be a promising tool as a less technically demanding and cost saving method. However, data on the direct comparison between kappa free light chains and oligoclonal bands are limited and no study to date has used the highly sensitive method of polyacrylamide gels with consecutive silver staining for the demonstration of oligoclonal bands. Furthermore, the impact of the revised McDonald criteria of 2017 on the role of kappa free light chains as a biomarker has not been investigated. Nephelometry was used to determine kappa free light chains in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum from 149 patients with their first demyelinating event between 2010 and 2015. Clinical data, kappa free light chains, and oligoclonal band status were compared at the time of initial diagnosis and after follow-up to identify converters from clinically isolated syndrome to multiple sclerosis. An elevated kappa free light chain index (>5.9) was found in 79/83 patients (95%) with multiple sclerosis diagnosed at baseline, slightly less frequent than oligoclonal bands (98.8%). 18/25 (72%) patients who converted from clinically isolated syndrome to multiple sclerosis showed an elevated kappa free light chain index compared to 20/25 (80%) patients with positive oligoclonal bands. In patients with stable clinically isolated syndrome 7/41 (17%) displayed an elevated kappa free light chain index against 11/41 (27%) oligoclonal band positive patients. Only two patients with stable clinically isolated syndrome showed an elevated kappa free light chain index but were oligoclonal bands negative. In conclusion, determination of the kappa free light chain index is a promising diagnostic approach to assess intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis in multiple sclerosis. Nevertheless, oligoclonal bands are highly prevalent in multiple sclerosis and can detect an intrathecal synthesis of IgG even when the kappa free light chain index is below the threshold. We consider sequential use of both methods as reasonable.

Varicella zoster virus infections in neurological patients: a clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation is a common infectious disease in neurology and VZV the second most frequent virus detected in encephalitis. This study investigated characteristics of clinical and laboratory features in patients with VZV infection. METHODS: Two hundred eighty two patients with VZV reactivation that were hospitalized in the department of neurology in the time from 2005 to 2013 were retrospectively evaluated. Results from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis were available from 85 patients. RESULTS: Trigeminal rash was the most common clinical manifestation, followed by segmental rash, CNS infection, facial nerve palsy, postherpetic neuralgia, and radiculitis. MRI of the brain performed in 25/33 patients with encephalitis/meningitis did not show any signs of infection in the brain parenchyma. Only one patient showed contrast enhancement in the hypoglossal nerve. General signs of infection such as fever or elevated CRP values were found in only half of the patients. Furthermore, rash was absent in a quarter of patients with CNS infection and facial nerve palsy, and thus, infection could only be proven by CSF analysis. Although slight inflammatory CSF changes occurred in few patients with isolated rash, the frequency was clearly higher in patients with CNS infection and facial nerve palsy. CONCLUSION: Monosegmental herpes zoster is often uncomplicated and a diagnostic lumbar puncture is not essential. In contrast, CSF analysis is an essential diagnostic tool in patients with skin lesions and cranial nerve or CNS affection. In patients with neuro-psychiatric symptoms and inflammatory CSF changes analysis for VZV should be performed even in the absence of skin lesions.

Severe CNS inflammation after discontinuation of natalizumab and start of daclizumab successfully treated with alemtuzumab.

Natalizumab is highly effective in the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis patients. Unfortunately, after stopping natalizumab, there is an increased risk of inflammation in the central nervous system and relapses. Switching from natalizumab to an alternative sufficient drug may prevent disease reactivation. Here we present a case of a patient who experienced a dramatic course with severe central nervous system inflammation after discontinuation of natalizumab and treatment initiation with daclizumab. During a treatment of 36 days, 20 g intravenous methylprednisolone in total and ten courses of plasmapheresis were not able to control the severe CNS inflammation. Alemtuzumab, which targets the whole lymphocyte population, was able to stabilize the devastating disease course in our case.

Cerebrospinal fluid features in adults with enteroviral nervous system infection.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and laboratory features of adults with nervous system infections caused by enteroviruses, with special emphasis on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). METHODS: The data of 46 patients who were PCR-positive for enteroviruses in the CSF between 2002 and 2017 were evaluated. RESULTS: Meningitis was the most common clinical manifestation (89%), followed by encephalitis (7%) and isolated cranial nerve involvement (4%). Twenty percent of patients reported a sudden onset of severe headache that led to the initial suspected diagnosis of subarachnoid haemorrhage. General signs of infection, such as fever, elevated C-reactive protein, and an elevated white blood cell count, were found in only 61%. Most patients exhibited consistent inflammatory CSF changes, with elevated cell counts (85%) and blood-CSF barrier dysfunction (83%). Patients with normal CSF cell counts were significantly older, less frequently presented with meningitis, and exhibited lower peripheral white blood cell counts. Sequencing revealed species Enterovirus B in all patients, with most sequences related to echovirus 30. CONCLUSIONS: The absence of CSF pleocytosis, isolated cranial nerve involvement, and only infrequent general signs of infection may impede the diagnosis of enteroviral nervous system infections. A thorough CSF analysis including PCR is essential for a reliable diagnosis.

Paraneoplastic cerebellar syndromes associated with antibodies against Purkinje cells.

The paraneoplastic cerebellar syndrome presents as severe neuroimmunological disease associated with malignancies. Antibodies against antigens expressed by tumor cells cross-react with proteins of cerebellar Purkinje cells leading to neuroinflammation and neuronal loss. These antineuronal antibodies are preferentially investigated by serological analyses while examination of the cerebrospinal fluid is only performed infrequently. We retrospectively investigated 12 patients with antineuronal antibodies against Purkinje cells with a special focus on cerebrospinal fluid. Our results confirm a subacute disease with a severe cerebellar syndrome in 10 female patients due to anti-Yo antibodies associated mostly with gynecological malignancies. While standard cerebrospinal fluid parameters infrequently revealed pathological results, all patients presented oligoclonal bands indicating intrathecal IgG synthesis. Analyses of anti-Yo antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid by calculating the antibody specific index revealed intrathecal synthesis of anti-Yo antibodies in these patients. In analogy to anti-Yo syndrome, an intrathecal production of anti-Tr antibodies in one patient who presented with a paraneoplastic cerebellar syndrome was detected. In an additional patient, anti-Purkinje cell antibodies of unknown origin in the cerebrospinal fluid but not in serum were determined suggesting an isolated immune reaction within the central nervous system (CNS) and underlining the importance of investigating the cerebrospinal fluid. In conclusion, patients with a cerebellar syndrome display a distinct immune reaction within the cerebrospinal fluid including intrathecal synthesis of disease-specific antibodies. We emphasize the importance of a thorough immunological work up including investigations of both serum and cerebrospinal fluid.

Clinically Isolated Syndrome According to McDonald 2010: Intrathecal IgG Synthesis Still Predictive for Conversion to Multiple Sclerosis.

While the revised McDonald criteria of 2010 allow for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) in an earlier stage, there is still a need to identify the risk factors for conversion to MS in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). Since the latest McDonald criteria were established, the prognostic role of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and visual evoked potentials (VEP) in CIS patients is still poorly defined. We conducted a monocentric investigation including patients with CIS in the time from 2010 to 2015. Follow-ups of 120 patients revealed that 42% converted to MS. CIS patients with positive oligoclonal bands (OCB) were more than twice as likely to convert to MS as OCB negative patients (hazard ratio = 2.6). The probability to develop MS was even higher when a quantitative intrathecal IgG synthesis was detected (hazard ratio = 3.8). In patients with OCB, VEP did not add further information concerning the conversion rate to MS. In patients with optic neuritis and negative OCB, a significantly higher rate converted to MS when VEP were delayed. In conclusion, the detection of an intrathecal IgG synthesis increases the conversion probability to MS. Pathological VEP can help to predict the conversion rate to MS in patients with optic neuritis without an intrathecal IgG synthesis.

Common and uncommon neurological manifestations of neuroborreliosis leading to hospitalization.

BACKGROUND: Neuroborreliosis represents a relevant infectious disease and can cause a variety of neurological manifestations. Different stages and syndromes are described and atypical symptoms can result in diagnostic delay or misdiagnosis. The aim of this retrospective study was to define the pivotal neurological deficits in patients with neuroborreliosis that were the reason for admission in a hospital. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated data of patients with neuroborreliosis. Only patients who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of an intrathecal antibody production against Borrelia burgdorferi were included in the study. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients were identified with neuroborreliosis. Cranial nerve palsy was the most frequent deficit (50%) which caused admission to a hospital followed by painful radiculitis (25%), encephalitis (12%), myelitis (7%), and meningitis/headache (6%). In patients with a combination of deficits, back pain was the first symptom, followed by headache, and finally by cranial nerve palsy. Indeed, signs of meningitis were often found in patients with neuroborreliosis, but usually did not cause admission to a hospital. Unusual cases included patients with sudden onset paresis that were initially misdiagnosed as stroke and one patient with acute delirium. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed typical changes including elevated CSF cell count in all but one patient, a blood-CSF barrier dysfunction (87%), CSF oligoclonal bands (90%), and quantitative intrathecal synthesis of immunoglobulins (IgM in 74%, IgG in 47%, and IgA in 32% patients). Importantly, 6% of patients did not show Borrelia specific antibodies in the blood. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the majority of patients presented with typical neurological deficits. However, unusual cases such as acute delirium indicate that neuroborreliosis has to be considered in a wide spectrum of neurological diseases. CSF analysis is essential for a reliable diagnosis of neuroborreliosis.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Findings in Neurological Diseases Associated with Sjögren's Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic autoimmune-mediated disease that can cause a variety of neurological manifestations. METHODS: This study investigated characteristics of clinical and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) features in patients with neurological diseases associated with Sjögren's syndrome. Eighty-two patients were examined separately according to the presence of Sjögren's syndrome alone or in combination with other autoimmune diseases. RESULTS: In the 47 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome, peripheral neuropathy (57%) was found most frequently, followed by the involvement of the central nervous system (CNS; 17%), cranial neuropathy (15%), and myalgia (11%). These patients did not display consistent signs of inflammation in the CSF. Slight pleocytosis of 8-107 cells/µL was found in patients with peripheral neuropathy (9%), cranial neuropathy (20%), and CNS involvement (25%). Oligoclonal bands indicating intrathecal IgG synthesis occurred in 26% of patients with peripheral neuropathy, 20% of patients with cranial neuropathy, and 25% of patients with CNS involvement. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with Sjögren's syndrome and neurological manifestations, inflammatory CSF changes were rarely found and did not show a characteristic pattern irrespective of peripheral or central genesis of neurological deficits. Analysis of the CSF presents therefore an important diagnostic procedure to exclude other autoimmune and infectious diseases.

McDonald Criteria 2010 and 2005 Compared: Persistence of High Oligoclonal Band Prevalence Despite Almost Doubled Diagnostic Sensitivity.

The 2010 McDonald criteria were developed to allow a more rapid diagnosis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) by only one MRI of the brain. Although cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is not a mandatory part of the latest criteria, the evidence of an intrathecal humoral immunoreaction in the form of oligoclonal bands (OCB) is crucial in the diagnostic workup. To date, the impact of the 2010 McDonald criteria on the prevalence of OCB has not been investigated. We retrospectively evaluated data of 325 patients with a clinical relapse suggestive of demyelination that were treated in a German university hospital between 2010 and 2015. One hundred thirty-six patients (42%) were diagnosed with MS and 189 patients with CIS when the criteria of 2010 were applied. The criteria of 2005 allowed only 70 patients (22%) to be designated as MS. In contrast, the prevalence of OCB was marginal affected in MS patients with 96% for the criteria of 2010 and 98.5% for the criteria of 2005. In conclusion, OCB are prevalent in most MS patients and reflect the chronic inflammatory nature of the disease. We recommend CSF examination to exclude alternative diagnoses and reevaluation of the diagnosis MS in patients with negative OCB.