Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein and aquaporin-4 antibodies are highly specific in children with acquired demyelinating syndromes.

Aim: Our objectives were to evaluate the utility of measuring myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) and aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibodies (Ab) in clinical practice and describe their associated neurological phenotypes in children.

Method: Between 2012 and 2017, 371 children with suspected acquired demyelinating syndromes (ADS) seen in three tertiary centres were tested for MOG-Ab and AQP4-Ab. Medical notes were retrospectively reviewed, and clinical and demographic data compiled.

Significant, quantifiable differences exist between IgG subclass standards WHO67/97 and ERM-DA470k and can result in different interpretation of results.

Objectives: Accurate measurement of IgG subclass (IgGSc) levels are essential to aid in the diagnosis of disease states such as primary immunodeficiencies. However, there is no single standardisation of nephelometric and turbidimetric assays for these analytes and two reference materials have been utilised. We expand on previous reports and present data from a multi-site analysis that both identifies and quantitatively defines the differences in calibration resulting from the use of different reference materials.

Visual and symptomatic outcome of excimer phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) for corneal dystrophies.

Purpose: To determine the visual results and outcome of excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) for corneal dystrophies.

Methods: Twenty-nine eyes of 19 patients who underwent excimer PTK for recurrent erosions and reduced vision due to corneal dystrophies, between February 1996 and July 1999, were reviewed. Data regarding the preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), change in spherical equivalent (SE), depth of excimer laser ablation, symptomatic relief, and incidence of recurrence were analysed by a retrospective chart review.

Significance of anticardiolipin and anti-beta(2)-glycoprotein I antibodies in lupus nephritis.

Objective: To investigate whether anticardiolipin (aCL) and anti-beta(2)-glycoprotein I (anti-beta(2)GPI) antibodies are associated with lupus nephritis (group II patients), and whether there are differences in the prevalence of these two autoantibodies between group II patients and patients with non-nephritis SLE (group I) and primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) patients (group III).

Methods: IgG and IgM aCL were measured in 31 patients and anti-beta(2)GPI in 30 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) nephritis and 25 without SLE nephritis and in 36 PAPS patients by validated enzyme immunoassays. Relationships of anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibodies and antibodies to the collagenous region of C1q (anti-C1q) with SLE nephritis were also examined.

Similarities of specificity and cofactor dependence in serum antiphospholipid antibodies from patients with human parvovirus B19 infection and from those with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: To assess the phospholipid specificity and immunoglobulin isotype of antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies in patients with acute parvovirus B19 infection.

Methods: Specificity of aPL and isotype distribution in the negatively charged phospholipids, cardiolipin and phosphatidyl serine, and in the neutral phospholipid, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, were measured in the sera of patients with acute parvovirus B19 infections (n = 12), in those with other acute viral infections (n = 10), and in those with syphilis (n = 15) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The dependence of anticardiolipin (aCL) binding on the presence of beta 2-glycoprotein I (beta 2-GPI) as a binding cofactor was assessed in these same groups, and was compared with sera from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients (n = 11) with raised aCL antibody reactivity.