A 48-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of chronic progressive demyelination of the peripheral nerves of the upper limbs, as well as acute myelitis presenting with sensory disturbance from the left chest to the left leg. We established a diagnosis of combined central and peripheral demyelination (CCPD). The patient was positive for serum anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), anti-galactocerebroside IgG, and anti-GM1 IgG antibodies. Intravenous methylprednisolone therapy and plasma exchange improved myelitis, and the subsequent administration of oral prednisolone yielded a gradual improvement of the peripheral nerve damage with a mostly negative result for the antibodies. However, the patient experienced a relapse of radiculitis eight months later. Relapses of anti-MOG antibody-associated disease can provoke new immune reactions, leading to CCPD.
Keywords: anti-GM1 antibody; anti-galactocerebroside antibody; anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody; combined central and peripheral demyelination; demyelination.