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Diagnostic Accuracy of Oligoclonal Bands Evaluated

PLoS; ePub 2017 Jul 20; Bernitsas, et al

Publish date:: August 1, 2017

For the neurologist, a score of ≥4 isolated oligoclonal bands (ISO-OCB) supports the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), in a recent study that evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal bands (CSF-OCB) detected by isoelectric focusing (IEF) in patients with MS. On the other hand, ISO-OCB ≤3 favors central nervous system immune mediated disorders (CIMD). 321 patients with MS and other CIMD were assessed. Cerebrospinal fluid and matched serum samples were examined for the presence of OCB by IEF with immunoblotting. Researchers found:

ISO-OCB were the only predictor of MS diagnosis independent of age, gender, and CSF-OCB.
ISO-OCB ≥ 3.5 detected by IEF yielded a sensitivity of 98% and specificity of 87% in distinguishing MS from MS mimickers.

Citation:

Bernitsas E, Khan O, Razmjou S, et al. Cerebrospinal fluid humoral immunity in the differential diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. [Published online ahead of print July 20, 2017]. PLoS. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0181431.

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