Kelch-like Protein 11 (KLHL11) Antibodies in Children With Seizures of Undetermined Cause

Abstract

Background/aim: Kelch-like protein 11 (KLHL11)-antibody may be found in paraneoplastic neurological disorders presenting with epileptic seizures. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and clinical significance of KLHL11-antibody in epilepsy.

Patients and methods: Sera of 42 pediatric and 59 adult patients with seizures of undetermined cause were screened using a cell-based assay.

Results: KLHL11-antibody was found in three of 168 control patients with paraneoplastic neurological disorders and four pediatric patients (4-8-year-old, 2 boys/2 girls) with seizures of unknown cause presenting with myoclonic-atonic epilepsy, generalized epilepsy or childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes. In these four cases, seizures continued for 2-7 months, responded promptly and favorably to conventional anti-seizure drugs and did not recur in follow-up durations ranging between 2-5 years. Patients had normal brain MRI findings and motor-mental development before and after seizures. KLHL11-antibody was not detected in adult epilepsy patients with undetermined cause, MOG antibody-positive patients and healthy controls.

Conclusion: KLHL11-antibody may be detected in pediatric epilepsy patients with a relatively benign disease course.

Keywords: Kelch-like protein 11; antibody; autoimmunity; epilepsy; seizures.