Cerebral cortical encephalitis in adults with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease: A national case series.

Background And Purpose: Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) is a relatively recently described disease, most commonly presenting with optic neuritis and longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. Cerebral cortical encephalitis is a rare manifestation of MOGAD.

Methods: We identified patients presenting with cerebral cortical encephalitis with positive MOG antibodies in serum across a large specialized service.

Oligoclonal bands.

Oligoclonal bands (OCBs) represent the presence of intrathecal immunoglobulin G (IgG) as detected by isoelectric focusing and immunofixation. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysed alongside a paired serum sample gives five different immunofixation patterns. These are: type 1-the normal physiological state with no intrathecal IgG synthesis; type 2-evidence for intrathecal IgG synthesis, with CSF-restricted OCBs; type 3-evidence for intrathecal IgG synthesis, with CSF-restricted OCBs, but with additional, identical bands in the CSF and serum; type 4-absence of intrathecal IgG synthesis, but with identical OCBs in CSF and serum; and type 5-absence of intrathecal IgG synthesis, with a monoclonal band in CSF and serum.

Contemporary study of multiple sclerosis disability in South East Wales.

Background: A contemporary understanding of disability evolution in multiple sclerosis (MS) is an essential tool for individual disease management and planning of interventional studies. We have used prospectively collected longitudinal data to analyse disability progression and variation in a British MS cohort.

Methods: Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard of Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 4.

Sarcoidosis following alemtuzumab treatment for multiple sclerosis.

Despite proven efficacy of alemtuzumab in multiple sclerosis (MS), approximately 50% of individuals will develop a new autoimmune disease following treatment. To date, these have largely been antibody mediated and organ specific (primarily affecting the thyroid gland). In a retrospective case series of 187 patients from two UK specialist centres (Cardiff and Cambridge) followed up for a median of 10 years, we report three (1.

How common is truly benign MS in a UK population?

Objectives: The prevalence and definition of benign multiple sclerosis (BMS) remain controversial. Most definitions are based on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), not encompassing the wider impact of disease. The explanation for favourable outcomes remains unclear.

Targeted suppression of autoreactive CD8 T-cell activation using blocking anti-CD8 antibodies.

CD8 T-cells play a role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes. However, drugs that target the entire CD8 T-cell population are not desirable because the associated lack of specificity can lead to unwanted consequences, most notably an enhanced susceptibility to infection. Here, we show that autoreactive CD8 T-cells are highly dependent on CD8 for ligand-induced activation via the T-cell receptor (TCR).

Alemtuzumab-induced remission of multiple sclerosis-associated uveitis.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to report a case of multiple sclerosis (MS)-associated uveitis refractory to conventional immunosuppressants, with subsequent remission following treatment with alemtuzumab.

Methods: Case report Patient was treated with intravenous alemtuzumab, a lymphocyte depleting anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody that has recently been approved for use in relapsing MS.

Results: A 17-year-old female presented with bilateral optic neuritis and subsequently bilateral intermediate uveitis and secondary macular oedema.

Alemtuzumab for Multiple Sclerosis.

Alemtuzumab is a humanised anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody approved for use in active, relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). Administration results in a rapid depletion of circulating lymphocytes with a subsequent beneficial immune reconstitution. Early open-label experience and recent clinical trials have demonstrated a dramatic effect on relapse rates as well as a positive effect on radiological disease outcomes and disability measures.