Seronegative neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients diagnosed using new diagnostic criteria

Abstract

Background: Recently, new diagnostic criteria for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) were published.

Objective: Our primary aim was to evaluate the usefulness of the new diagnostic criteria in anti-aquaporin 4 (AQP4) antibody-negative cases.

Methods: Consecutive 471 patients whose anti-AQP4 antibody was measured at Chiba University were reviewed.

Results: Four anti-AQP4 antibody negative-patients, who fulfilled the new diagnostic criteria for NMOSD but not 2006 diagnostic criteria for neuromyelitis optica (NMO), were identified. They showed high cerebrospinal fluid interleukin-6 and glial fibrillary acidic protein levels, an absence of oligoclonal bands and/or cloud-like enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging, which are compatible findings for NMO.

Conclusion: The new diagnostic criteria are clinically useful in seronegative NMOSD.

Keywords: Diagnostic criteria; glial fibrillary acidic protein; interleukin-6; neuromyelitis optica; seronegative.