XXXX : comparison of clinical and magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of @entity3951 -IgG versus @entity3950 -IgG seropositive cases in the Netherlands.

@entity1 @entity6220 @entity1652 @entity3950 @entity7995 @entity3951 @entity15 @entity4685
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: @entity1652 ( @entity1652 ) are a group of rare @entity6220 . The identification of specific antibodies directed to @entity3951 ( @entity3951 -IgG) led to the distinction from @entity15 . However, up to 25% of the clinically diagnosed NMO @entity1 are seronegative for @entity3951 -IgG. A subgroup of these @entity1 might be identified by antibodies directed to @entity3950 ( @entity3950 -IgG). Our objective was to investigate whether the clinical characteristics of these @entity1 differ. METHODS: Using a cell-based assay, samples of 61 @entity3951 -IgG seronegative @entity1 and 41 @entity3951 -IgG seropositive @entity1 with clinically NMOSD were analysed for the presence of @entity3950 -IgG. Clinical characteristics of the @entity3951 -IgG, @entity3950 -IgG seropositive and double seronegative NMOSD @entity1 were compared. RESULTS: Twenty of the 61 @entity3951 -IgG seronegative @entity1 tested @entity3950 -IgG seropositive (33%). @entity3950 -IgG seropositive @entity1 were more frequently males in contrast to @entity3951 -IgG seropositive @entity1 (55% vs. 15%, P < 0.01) and Caucasians (90% vs. 63%, P = 0.03). They more frequently presented with coincident @entity7995 and transverse @entity4685 (40% vs. 12%, P = 0.02) and had a monophasic disease course (70% vs. 29%, P < 0.01). @entity3951 -IgG seropositive @entity1 were 2.4 times more likely to suffer from relapses compared with @entity3950 -IgG seropositive @entity1 (relative risk 2.4, 95% confidence interval 1.2-4.7). @entity3951 -IgG seropositive @entity1 had higher Expanded Disability Status Scale levels at last follow-up (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Antibodies directed to @entity3950 identify a subgroup of @entity3951 -IgG seronegative NMO @entity1 with generally a favourable monophasic disease course.
