Relapsing optic neuritis and isolated transverse myelitis are the predominant clinical phenotypes for patients with antibodies to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein in India

Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin. 2016 Oct 24:2:2055217316675634. doi: 10.1177/2055217316675634. eCollection 2016 Jan-Dec.

Abstract

Background: Clinical phenotypes of patients with antibodies to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (anti-MOG+) are unknown in India.

Objectives: Retrospectively to characterise anti-MOG+ patients with inflammatory central nervous system disorders in India.

Method: A total of 87 patients with non-multiple sclerosis demyelinating disorders (excluding acute disseminated encephalomyelitis) who were seronegative for anti-aquaporin 4 antibody were retrospectively analysed using a cell-based assay for anti-MOG+ status.

Results: Twenty-five patients were anti-MOG+ in this cohort. They represented 28.7% (25/87) of patients who tested negative for anti-AQP4+. Sixty-four per cent (16/25) of anti-MOG+ patients were men and had a relapsing course. Patients with recurrent optic neuritis and those with a single attack of acute longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis were the most common phenotypes.

Conclusion: Relapsing optic neuritis was the most common phenotype, contrasting with a lower risk of relapses in transverse myelitis.

Keywords: India; Optic neuritis; aquaporin-4 antibody; myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody; myelitis.