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Hagbohm C, Ouellette R, Flanagan EP, Jonsson DI, Piehl F, Banwell B, Wickström R, Iacobaeus E, Granberg T, Ineichen BV. Clinical and neuroimaging phenotypes of autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Neurol 2024; 31:e16284. [PMID: 38506182 DOI: 10.1111/ene.16284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was undertaken to provide a comprehensive review of neuroimaging characteristics and corresponding clinical phenotypes of autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy (GFAP-A), a rare but severe neuroinflammatory disorder, to facilitate early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. METHODS A PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis)-conforming systematic review and meta-analysis was performed on all available data from January 2016 to June 2023. Clinical and neuroimaging phenotypes were extracted for both adult and paediatric forms. RESULTS A total of 93 studies with 681 cases (55% males; median age = 46, range = 1-103 years) were included. Of these, 13 studies with a total of 535 cases were eligible for the meta-analysis. Clinically, GFAP-A was often preceded by a viral prodromal state (45% of cases) and manifested as meningitis, encephalitis, and/or myelitis. The most common symptoms were headache, fever, and movement disturbances. Coexisting autoantibodies (45%) and neoplasms (18%) were relatively frequent. Corticosteroid treatment resulted in partial/complete remission in a majority of cases (83%). Neuroimaging often revealed T2/fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) hyperintensities (74%) as well as perivascular (45%) and/or leptomeningeal (30%) enhancement. Spinal cord abnormalities were also frequent (49%), most commonly manifesting as longitudinally extensive myelitis. There were 88 paediatric cases; they had less prominent neuroimaging findings with lower frequencies of both T2/FLAIR hyperintensities (38%) and contrast enhancement (19%). CONCLUSIONS This systematic review and meta-analysis provide high-level evidence for clinical and imaging phenotypes of GFAP-A, which will benefit the identification and clinical workup of suspected cases. Differential diagnostic cues to distinguish GFAP-A from common clinical and imaging mimics are provided as well as suitable magnetic resonance imaging protocol recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Hagbohm
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neuroradiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Russell Ouellette
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neuroradiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eoin P Flanagan
- Department of Neurology, Center for Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Dagur I Jonsson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurophysiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Piehl
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Neurology, Academic Specialist Centre, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Brenda Banwell
- Division of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Neurology and Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ronny Wickström
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ellen Iacobaeus
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tobias Granberg
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neuroradiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Benjamin V Ineichen
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Center for Reproducible Science, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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Biddle G, Beck RT, Raslan O, Ebinu J, Jenner Z, Hamer J, Hacein-Bey L, Apperson M, Ivanovic V. Autoimmune diseases of the spine and spinal cord. Neuroradiol J 2024; 37:285-303. [PMID: 37394950 PMCID: PMC11138326 DOI: 10.1177/19714009231187340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinicopathological tools have led to the identification of a wide spectrum of autoimmune entities that involve the spine. A clearer understanding of the unique imaging features of these disorders, along with their clinical presentations, will prove invaluable to clinicians and potentially limit the need for more invasive procedures such as tissue biopsies. Here, we review various autoimmune diseases affecting the spine and highlight salient imaging features that distinguish them radiologically from other disease entities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garrick Biddle
- Radiology Department, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Ryan T Beck
- Neuroradiology, Radiology Department, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Osama Raslan
- Radiology Department, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Julius Ebinu
- Neurosurgery Department, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Zach Jenner
- Radiology Department, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - John Hamer
- Neuroradiology, Radiology Department, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Lotfi Hacein-Bey
- Radiology Department, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Michelle Apperson
- Neurology Department, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Vladimir Ivanovic
- Neuroradiology, Radiology Department, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
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3
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Yao S, Wang P, Liu H, Cong L, Liu X. Diffusion restriction on DWI of autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy: a case report. Neurol Sci 2024; 45:2915-2918. [PMID: 38349541 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-024-07356-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Shengjun Yao
- Department of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, 324 Jingwu Road, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, 324 Jingwu Road, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China
| | - Hualong Liu
- Department of Orthopedics and Trauma, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lin Cong
- Department of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, 324 Jingwu Road, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaohui Liu
- Department of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, 324 Jingwu Road, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.
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4
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Villain P, Kerbrat A, Cochard C. [Subacute blindness and aseptic meningitis as presenting signs of autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy]. J Fr Ophtalmol 2024; 47:104194. [PMID: 38761650 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfo.2024.104194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- P Villain
- Service d'ophtalmologie, hôpital Pontchaillou, CHU de Rennes, 2, rue Henri-Le-Guilloux, 35000 Rennes, France.
| | - A Kerbrat
- Service de neurologie, hôpital Pontchaillou, CHU de Rennes, 2, rue Henri-Le-Guilloux, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - C Cochard
- Service d'ophtalmologie, hôpital Pontchaillou, CHU de Rennes, 2, rue Henri-Le-Guilloux, 35000 Rennes, France
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5
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Zhao CW, Gheihman G, Nigam M, Manzano GS. Autoimmune encephalitis in glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy. BMJ Case Rep 2024; 17:e260628. [PMID: 38724215 PMCID: PMC11085714 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2024-260628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune encephalitis due to glial fibrillar acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy is a rare cause of subacute neuropsychiatric changes. In this case, a young patient presented with a viral prodrome and meningismus, followed by progressive encephalopathy and movement disorders over the span of 2 weeks. Due to his clinical trajectory, inflammatory cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, initial normal brain imaging and negative serum autoimmune encephalopathy panel, his initial diagnosis was presumed viral meningoencephalitis. The recurrence and progression of neuropsychiatric symptoms and myoclonus despite antiviral treatment prompted further investigation, inclusive of testing for CSF autoimmune encephalopathy autoantibodies, yielding a clinically meaningful, positive GFAP autoantibody. This case highlights the importance of appropriately testing both serum and CSF autoantibodies when an autoimmune encephalitic process is considered. Through this case, we review the clinical and radiographic manifestations of GFAP astrocytopathy, alongside notable pearls pertaining to this autoantibody syndrome and its management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlie Weige Zhao
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Neurology, Mass General Brigham Inc, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Galina Gheihman
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Neurology, Mass General Brigham Inc, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Minali Nigam
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Neurology, Mass General Brigham Inc, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Giovanna S Manzano
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Neurology, Mass General Brigham Inc, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Shu Y, Huang R, Li Q, Lu Y, Yin J, Li H, Lan Z, Zheng X, Ye J, Long Y, Wang Z, Xiao L, Zhou Q, Liu X, Fu Y, Chen H, Chen J, Zhou Y, Zhou J, Zhang L, Zhou J, Jiang Y, Peng F, Lu Z, Petersen F, Qiu W, Yu X. Autoimmune Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Astrocytopathy Is Associated with HLA-A*3303 and HLA-DPB1*0501. Ann Neurol 2024; 95:901-906. [PMID: 38400794 DOI: 10.1002/ana.26899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
We determined the genetic association between specific human leucocyte antigen (HLA) loci and autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy. Our results showed that autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy was associated with HLA-A*3303 (odds ratio [OR] = 2.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.32-3.06, p = 0.00072, padj. = 0.046) and HLA-DBP1*0501 (OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.36-0.71, p = 0.000048, padj. = 0.0062). Moreover, HLA-A*3303 carriers with the disease had a longer hospital stay (p = 0.0005) than non-carriers. This study for the first time provides evidence for a role of genetic factor in the development of autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:901-906.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqing Shu
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Renliang Huang
- Department of Genetics and Prenatal Diagnosis, Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Qihui Li
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi Lu
- Department of Neurology, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Junping Yin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Experimental Immunology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Huilu Li
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhike Lan
- Department of Neurology, GuangDong 999 Brain Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiujun Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Shantou Central Hospital, Affiliated Shantou Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shantou, China
| | - Jinlong Ye
- Department of Neurology, GuangDong 999 Brain Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Youming Long
- Department of Neurology, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and The Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Neuroscience, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhanhang Wang
- Department of Neurology, GuangDong 999 Brain Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Xiao
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiaomiao Zhou
- Department of Genetics and Prenatal Diagnosis, Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Xu Liu
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ying Fu
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Juanjuan Chen
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yanxia Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Juan Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Chenzhou First People's Hospital, Chenzhou, China
| | - Liting Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Chest Hospital, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Foshan First People's Hospital, Foshan, China
| | - Ying Jiang
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fuhua Peng
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhengqi Lu
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Frank Petersen
- Division of Pulmonary Immune Diseases, Priority Area Chronic Lung Diseases, Research Center Borstel, Borstel, Germany
| | - Wei Qiu
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinhua Yu
- Department of Genetics and Prenatal Diagnosis, Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Haikou, Hainan, China
- Division of Pulmonary Immune Diseases, Priority Area Chronic Lung Diseases, Research Center Borstel, Borstel, Germany
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7
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Chen Y, Luo C, Zhou G, Wang H, Dai K, Wu W, Wang S, Su Z, Peng F, Jiang Y. The discrimination between autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy and tuberculous meningitis. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2024; 85:105527. [PMID: 38432014 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2024.105527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The differential diagnosis between autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy (AGFAPA) mimicking tuberculous meningitis and tuberculous meningitis (TBM) remains challenging in clinical practice. This study aims to identify the clinical, laboratory parameters, and clinical score systems that may be helpful in differentiating AGFAPA from TBM. METHOD Overall 22 AGFAPA patients who were initially misdiagnosed as TBM (AGFAPA-TBM) and 30 confirmed TBM patients were included. The clinical, laboratory, imaging parameters, Thwaites systems, and Lancet consensus scoring systems (LCSS) of all patients were reviewed. Logistic regression was employed to establish a diagnostic formula to differentiate AGFAPA-TBM from TBM. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to determine the best diagnostic critical point of the formula. RESULTS Urinary retention was more frequent in AGFAPA-TBM patients (72.7% vs 33.3%, p = 0.012). A significantly lower ratio of T-SPOT. TB was noted in AGFAPA-TBM patients (9.1% vs 82.1%, p < 0.001). We found the LCSS was able to differentiate AGFAPA-TBM from TBM (AUC value 0.918, 95% CI=0.897-0.924). Furthermore, we set up a new scoring system with three variables: urinary retention, T-SPOT. TB, and cerebral imaging criteria in LCSS. The proposed diagnostic score ranges from -8 to 2, and a score of ≥ 0 was suggestive of AGFAPA-TBM (AUC value 0.938, 95% CI=0.878-0.951). CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to evaluate the Thwaites system and LCSS in AGFAPA-TBM and TBM. We provide an alternative diagnostic formula to differentiate AGFAPA-TBM from TBM and suggest testing for GFAP antibodies to avoid misdiagnosis when this scoring system meets AGFAPA-TBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxiang Chen
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 600# Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510630, China; Department of Neurology, Xiaolan People's Hospital of Zhongshan, 65#, Middle Section of Jucheng Avenue, Xiaolan, Zhongshan, Guangdong Province 528400, China
| | - Chongliang Luo
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Guonan Zhou
- Department of Encephalopathy, Zhongshan Chenxinghai Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 18# Zhuyuan Road, Zhongshan, Guangdong Province 528400, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Neurology, Xiaolan People's Hospital of Zhongshan, 65#, Middle Section of Jucheng Avenue, Xiaolan, Zhongshan, Guangdong Province 528400, China
| | - Kai Dai
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 600# Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510630, China
| | - Weijuan Wu
- Department of Neurology, Sanshui District People's Hospital, Sanshui, Foshan, Guangdong Province 528100, China
| | - Siguang Wang
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 600# Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510630, China
| | - Zhihui Su
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 600# Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510630, China
| | - Fuhua Peng
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 600# Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510630, China.
| | - Ying Jiang
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 600# Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510630, China.
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Talucci I, Arlt FA, Kreissner KO, Nasouti M, Wiessler AL, Miske R, Mindorf S, Dettmann I, Moniri M, Bayer M, Broegger Christensen P, Ayzenberg I, Kraft A, Endres M, Komorowski L, Villmann C, Doppler K, Prüss H, Maric HM. Molecular dissection of an immunodominant epitope in K v1.2-exclusive autoimmunity. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1329013. [PMID: 38665908 PMCID: PMC11043588 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1329013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Subgroups of autoantibodies directed against voltage-gated potassium channel (Kv) complex components have been associated with immunotherapy-responsive clinical syndromes. The high prevalence and the role of autoantibodies directly binding Kv remain, however, controversial. Our objective was to determine Kv autoantibody binding requirements and to clarify their contribution to the observed immune response. Methods Binding epitopes were studied in sera (n = 36) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (n = 12) from a patient cohort positive for Kv1.2 but negative for 32 common neurological autoantigens and controls (sera n = 18 and CSF n = 5) by phospho and deep mutational scans. Autoantibody specificity and contribution to the observed immune response were resolved on recombinant cells, cerebellum slices, and nerve fibers. Results 83% of the patients (30/36) within the studied cohort shared one out of the two major binding epitopes with Kv1.2-3 reactivity. Eleven percent (4/36) of the serum samples showed no binding. Fingerprinting resolved close to identical sequence requirements for both shared epitopes. Kv autoantibody response is directed against juxtaparanodal regions in peripheral nerves and the axon initial segment in central nervous system neurons and exclusively mediated by the shared epitopes. Discussion Systematic mapping revealed two shared autoimmune responses, with one dominant Kv1.2-3 autoantibody epitope being unexpectedly prevalent. The conservation of the molecular binding requirements among these patients indicates a uniform autoantibody repertoire with monospecific reactivity. The enhanced sensitivity of the epitope-based (10/12) compared with that of the cell-based detection (7/12) highlights its use for detection. The determined immunodominant epitope is also the primary immune response visible in tissue, suggesting a diagnostic significance and a specific value for routine screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Talucci
- Rudolf Virchow Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging; University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Friederike A. Arlt
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
| | - Kai O. Kreissner
- Rudolf Virchow Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging; University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mahoor Nasouti
- Rudolf Virchow Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging; University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anna-Lena Wiessler
- Institute for Clinical Neurobiology, University of Wuerzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ramona Miske
- Institute for Experimental Immunology, affiliated to EUROIMMUN Medizinische Labordiagnostika AG, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Swantje Mindorf
- Institute for Experimental Immunology, affiliated to EUROIMMUN Medizinische Labordiagnostika AG, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Inga Dettmann
- Institute for Experimental Immunology, affiliated to EUROIMMUN Medizinische Labordiagnostika AG, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Mehrnaz Moniri
- Rudolf Virchow Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging; University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Bayer
- Rudolf Virchow Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging; University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Ilya Ayzenberg
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Andrea Kraft
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Martha-Maria, Halle, Germany
| | - Matthias Endres
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
- Klinik und Hochschulambulanz für Neurologie, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
- Center for Stroke Research, Berlin, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Berlin, Germany
| | - Lars Komorowski
- Institute for Experimental Immunology, affiliated to EUROIMMUN Medizinische Labordiagnostika AG, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Carmen Villmann
- Institute for Clinical Neurobiology, University of Wuerzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kathrin Doppler
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Harald Prüss
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
| | - Hans M. Maric
- Rudolf Virchow Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging; University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Zhao H, Song L, Gao S, Wu L, Huang D. Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy coexisting with multiple endocrine neoplasia: a case report. Acta Neurol Belg 2024; 124:715-718. [PMID: 37979124 DOI: 10.1007/s13760-023-02416-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- He Zhao
- Department of Neurology, First Medical Center of Chinese, PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Lihong Song
- Department of Neurology, First Medical Center of Chinese, PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853, China
- Department of Medicine, Lulong County Hospital, Qinhuangdao, 066400, Hebei, China
| | - Sai Gao
- Department of Neurology, First Medical Center of Chinese, PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Lei Wu
- Department of Neurology, First Medical Center of Chinese, PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853, China.
| | - Dehui Huang
- Department of Neurology, First Medical Center of Chinese, PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853, China.
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Liu T, Yang W, Zheng X. Familial Mediterranean fever concurrent with autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy in a young adult. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14542. [PMID: 37997570 PMCID: PMC11017397 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Liu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineZhejiangChina
| | - Wu Yang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineZhejiangChina
| | - Xia Zheng
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineZhejiangChina
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11
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Ke G, Jian S, Yang T, Zhao X. Clinical characteristics and MRI features of autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy: a case series of 34 patients. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1375971. [PMID: 38585352 PMCID: PMC10995392 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1375971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives To analyze the clinical and imaging characteristics of autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy (GFAP-A). Methods Forty-three patients diagnosed with GFAP-A between March 2017 and July 2023 were retrospectively recruited. The clinical characteristics and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features were collected. Results Twenty-one patients (61.8%) had a fever and 16 (47.1%) had a headache. Five patients (14.7%) had coexisting neural autoantibodies and one patient (2.9%) had a coexisting neoplasm. The most common presentation was meningoencephalomyelitis (13/34, 38.3%), followed by meningoencephalitis (12/34, 35.3%). The other clinical manifestations included blurred visions (5/34, 14.7%) and peripheral nervous system involvement (4/34, 11.8%). Twenty-six patients (76.5%) had elevated nucleated cell count, predominantly lymphocytes (15/15, 100%), and 27 (79.4%) had elevated protein levels of cerebrospinal fluid. One-half (50%) of the patients presented with hyponatremia. A majority of the patients (30/33, 90.9%) exhibited abnormal hyperintense lesions on T2WI, which were often located in juxtacortical white matter (18/33, 54.5%), followed by periventricular white matter (16/33, 48.5%), basal ganglia (15/ 33, 45.5%), brainstem (11/33, 33.3%), and thalamic lesions (9/33, 27.3%). Twenty-four patients (72.7%) had abnormal brain enhancement, with supratentorial leptomeningeal enhancement being the most frequent enhancement pattern (15/33, 45.5%), followed by linear perivascular radial enhancement (14/33, 42.4%). Nineteen patients (70.4%) had hyperintense intramedullary spinal cord lesions, with long segments (15/27, 55.6%) and transverse lesions (14/27, 51.9%) being the most frequent lesions. Most cases were sensitive to immunotherapy, such as glucocorticoids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and tacrolimus, with three patients (8.8%) experiencing relapses. Patients with brainstem lesions had higher onset modified Rankin scale scores and were more prone to intensive care unit admissions. Linear perivascular radial enhancement was positively associated with poor prognosis (p < 0.05). Conclusion GFAP-A presented with meningoencephalomyelitis and meningoencephalitis. The brain lesions were often located in juxtacortical white matter, periventricular white matter, basal ganglia, brainstem, and thalamus. Long segments and transverse were the most frequent spine lesions. Leptomeningeal enhancement was the most frequent enhancement pattern, followed by linear perivascular radial enhancement, which may provide new insight into the differential diagnosis of GFAP-A.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Xu Zhao
- Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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12
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Guo Y, Guo J, Wang X, Ma A, Gao Y, Chen J, Nie C, Chen N. Glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy presented as meningitis: A case report. Heliyon 2024; 10:e26827. [PMID: 38434407 PMCID: PMC10907785 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy is a novel autoimmune neurological disorder and is diagnosed by GFAP-IgG in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) measurement. Case report Herein, we described a 10-year-old boy with abnormal neurological symptoms and signs. GFAP-IgG was detected in CSF using cell-based assay (CBA), and his CSF showed an increase in lymphocytes, a slight decrease in glucose and an increase in protein level in the early stage. The cranial MRI showed multiple strips of T2-FLAIR hyperintense signal changes on the surface of medulla oblongata, pons, and gyrus in bilateral cerebral hemispheres. He was treated with immunoglobulin (IVIG) and high-dose methylprednisolone pulse treatment, and his clinical presentations gradually improved. Conclusion We highlight that patients with normal inflammatory markers in peripheral blood have obvious meningitis-like symptoms, and clinicians need to consider GFAP astrocytopathy. The early diagnosis and treatment of GFAP astrocytopathy are important for improving the prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya Guo
- Department of Pediatric, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
| | - Jiamin Guo
- Department of Pediatric, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
| | - Xueyu Wang
- Department of Pediatric, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
| | - Aihua Ma
- Department of Pediatric, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
| | - Yuxing Gao
- Department of Pediatric, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
| | - Jiacheng Chen
- Department of Pediatric, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
| | - Cuili Nie
- Department of Pediatric, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
| | - Na Chen
- Department of Pediatric, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
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13
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Madani J, Yea C, Mahjoub A, Brna P, Jones K, Longoni G, Nouri MN, Rizk T, Stewart WA, Wilbur C, Yeh EA. Clinical features and outcomes in children with seronegative autoimmune encephalitis. Dev Med Child Neurol 2024. [PMID: 38491729 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.15896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
AIM To characterize the presenting features and outcomes in children with seronegative autoimmune encephalitis, and to evaluate whether scores at nadir for the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and Clinical Assessment Scale for Autoimmune Encephalitis (CASE) or its paediatric-specific modification (ped-CASE) are predictive of outcomes. METHOD This observational study included children younger than 18 years of age with seronegative autoimmune encephalitis. Demographics and clinical data were collected. The mRS and CASE/ped-CASE scores were used to evaluate disease severity. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used for data analysis and to evaluate associations between scale scores and outcomes. RESULTS Sixty-three children were included (39 [62%] females, median age 7 years, interquartile range [IQR] 4 years 1 months-11 years 6 months), with follow-up available for 56 out of 63 patients (median follow-up 12.2 months, IQR 13.4-17.8). The most frequent presenting neurological manifestation was encephalopathy (81%). Median CASE/ped-CASE and mRS scores at nadir were 12.0 (IQR 7.0-17.0) and 1.0 (IQR 0-2.0) respectively. Thirty-three patients (59%) had persistent neurological deficits at follow-up. Both scoring systems suggested good functional recovery (mRS score ≤2, 95%; CASE/ped-CASE score <5, 91%). CASE/ped-CASE score was more likely than mRS to distinguish children with worse outcomes. INTERPRETATION Children with seronegative autoimmune encephalitis are likely to have neurological deficits at follow-up. CASE/ped-CASE is more likely to distinguish children with worse outcomes than MRS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihan Madani
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carmen Yea
- Neurosciences and Mental Health Program, SickKids Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Areej Mahjoub
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paula Brna
- Division of Neurology, Dalhousie University IWK Health Center, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Kevin Jones
- Division of Neurology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Giulia Longoni
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maryam Nabavi Nouri
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, London Health Science Center, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tamer Rizk
- Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Saint John Regional Hospital, St. John, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Wendy A Stewart
- Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Saint John Regional Hospital, St. John, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Colin Wilbur
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada
| | - E Ann Yeh
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Neurosciences and Mental Health Program, SickKids Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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14
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Arlt FA, Miske R, Machule ML, Broegger Christensen P, Mindorf S, Teegen B, Borowski K, Buthut M, Rößling R, Sánchez-Sendín E, van Hoof S, Cordero-Gómez C, Bünger I, Radbruch H, Kraft A, Ayzenberg I, Klausewitz J, Hansen N, Timäus C, Körtvelyessy P, Postert T, Baur-Seack K, Rost C, Brunkhorst R, Doppler K, Haigis N, Hamann G, Kunze A, Stützer A, Maschke M, Melzer N, Rosenow F, Siebenbrodt K, Stenør C, Dichgans M, Georgakis MK, Fang R, Petzold GC, Görtler M, Zerr I, Wunderlich S, Mihaljevic I, Turko P, Schmidt Ettrup M, Buchholz E, Foverskov Rasmussen H, Nasouti M, Talucci I, Maric HM, Heinemann SH, Endres M, Komorowski L, Prüss H. KCNA2 IgG autoimmunity in neuropsychiatric diseases. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 117:399-411. [PMID: 38309639 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.01.220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autoantibodies against the potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily A member 2 (KCNA2) have been described in a few cases of neuropsychiatric disorders, but their diagnostic and pathophysiological role is currently unknown, imposing challenges to medical practice. DESIGN / METHODS We retrospectively collected comprehensive clinical and paraclinical data of 35 patients with KCNA2 IgG autoantibodies detected in cell-based and tissue-based assays. Patients' sera and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were used for characterization of the antigen, clinical-serological correlations, and determination of IgG subclasses. RESULTS KCNA2 autoantibody-positive patients (n = 35, median age at disease onset of 65 years, range of 16-83 years, 74 % male) mostly presented with cognitive impairment and/or epileptic seizures but also ataxia, gait disorder and personality changes. Serum autoantibodies belonged to IgG3 and IgG1 subclasses and titers ranged from 1:32 to 1:10,000. KCNA2 IgG was found in the CSF of 8/21 (38 %) patients and in the serum of 4/96 (4.2 %) healthy blood donors. KCNA2 autoantibodies bound to characteristic anatomical areas in the cerebellum and hippocampus of mammalian brain and juxtaparanodal regions of peripheral nerves but reacted exclusively with intracellular epitopes. A subset of four KCNA2 autoantibody-positive patients responded markedly to immunotherapy alongside with conversion to seronegativity, in particular those presenting an autoimmune encephalitis phenotype and receiving early immunotherapy. An available brain biopsy showed strong immune cell invasion. KCNA2 autoantibodies occurred in less than 10 % in association with an underlying tumor. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that KCNA2 autoimmunity is clinically heterogeneous. Future studies should determine whether KCNA2 autoantibodies are directly pathogenic or develop secondarily. Early immunotherapy should be considered, in particular if autoantibodies occur in CSF or if clinical or diagnostic findings suggest ongoing inflammation. Suspicious clinical phenotypes include autoimmune encephalitis, atypical dementia, new-onset epilepsy and unexplained epileptic seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike A Arlt
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ramona Miske
- Institute for Experimental Immunology, affiliated to EUROIMMUN Medizinische Labordiagnostika AG, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Marie-Luise Machule
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Swantje Mindorf
- Institute for Experimental Immunology, affiliated to EUROIMMUN Medizinische Labordiagnostika AG, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Bianca Teegen
- Clinical immunological Laboratory Prof. Stöcker, Groß Grönau, Germany
| | - Kathrin Borowski
- Clinical immunological Laboratory Prof. Stöcker, Groß Grönau, Germany
| | - Maria Buthut
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rosa Rößling
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elisa Sánchez-Sendín
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Scott van Hoof
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - César Cordero-Gómez
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Isabel Bünger
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Helena Radbruch
- Department of Neuropathology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrea Kraft
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Martha-Maria, Halle, Germany
| | - Ilya Ayzenberg
- Department of Neurology, St Josef-Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jaqueline Klausewitz
- Department of Neurology, St Josef-Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Niels Hansen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Göttingen Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Charles Timäus
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Göttingen Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Peter Körtvelyessy
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Postert
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincenz-Krankenhaus Paderborn, Paderborn, Germany
| | - Kirsten Baur-Seack
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincenz-Krankenhaus Paderborn, Paderborn, Germany
| | - Constanze Rost
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincenz-Krankenhaus Paderborn, Paderborn, Germany
| | - Robert Brunkhorst
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Kathrin Doppler
- Department of Neurology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Niklas Haigis
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Hamann
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Rehabilitation, BKH Günzburg, Günzburg, Germany
| | - Albrecht Kunze
- Department of Neurology, Zentralklinik Bad Berka, Bad Berka, Germany
| | - Alexandra Stützer
- Department of Neurology, Zentralklinik Bad Berka, Bad Berka, Germany
| | - Matthias Maschke
- Department of Neurology, Campus Trier, University of Mainz, Trier, Germany
| | - Nico Melzer
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Felix Rosenow
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt on the Main, Germany; LOEWE Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Kai Siebenbrodt
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt on the Main, Germany; LOEWE Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Christian Stenør
- Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev-Gentofte, Denmark
| | - Martin Dichgans
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Marios K Georgakis
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rong Fang
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Gabor C Petzold
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Division of Vascular Neurology, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael Görtler
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany; Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Inga Zerr
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany; Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Silke Wunderlich
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Paul Turko
- Institute for Integrative Neuroanatomy, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Emilie Buchholz
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Helle Foverskov Rasmussen
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mahoor Nasouti
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ivan Talucci
- Department of Neurology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Rudolf Virchow Center, Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Hans M Maric
- Rudolf Virchow Center, Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Stefan H Heinemann
- Friedrich Schiller University and Jena University Hospital, Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Department of Biophysics, Jena, Germany
| | - Matthias Endres
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lars Komorowski
- Institute for Experimental Immunology, affiliated to EUROIMMUN Medizinische Labordiagnostika AG, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Harald Prüss
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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15
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Kimura A. [Clinical features and pathogenesis of Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) antibody-associated disorders]. Rinsho Shinkeigaku 2024; 64:75-84. [PMID: 38281748 DOI: 10.5692/clinicalneurol.cn-001925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) antibody-associated disorders (AD) were recently proposed to be immune-mediated neurological disorders. The pathogenesis of GFAP antibody-AD is poorly understood. Pathologically, there is a marked infiltration of large numbers of lymphocytes, including CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, into the meningeal and brain parenchyma, especially around the perivascular areas. GFAP-specific cytotoxic T cells are considered to be the effector cells of GFAP antibody-AD. The common phenotype of GFAP antibody-AD includes meningoencephalitis with or without myelitis. During the clinical disease course, patients present with consciousness disturbances, urinary dysfunction, movement disorders, meningeal irritation, and cognitive dysfunction. The detection of GFAP antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by cell-based assay is essential for a diagnosis of GFAP antibody-AD. The CSF can be examined for lymphocyte-predominant pleocytosis and elevated protein levels. Brain linear perivascular radial enhancement patterns are observed in about half of GFAP antibody-AD patients. Spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging is used to detect longitudinal extensive spinal cord lesions. Although corticosteroid therapy is generally effective, some patients have a poor prognosis and relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akio Kimura
- Department of Neurology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine
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16
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Guo Y, Endmayr V, Zekeridou A, McKeon A, Leypoldt F, Hess K, Kalinowska-Lyszczarz A, Klang A, Pakozdy A, Höftberger E, Hametner S, Haider C, De Simoni D, Peters S, Gelpi E, Röcken C, Oberndorfer S, Lassmann H, Lucchinetti CF, Höftberger R. New insights into neuropathology and pathogenesis of autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein meningoencephalomyelitis. Acta Neuropathol 2024; 147:31. [PMID: 38310187 PMCID: PMC10838242 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-023-02678-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) meningoencephalomyelitis (autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy) is a new autoimmune central nervous system (CNS) disease diagnosable by the presence of anti-GFAP autoantibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid and presents as meningoencephalomyelitis in the majority of patients. Only few neuropathological reports are available and little is known about the pathogenic mechanisms. We performed a histopathological study of two autopsies and nine CNS biopsies of patients with anti-GFAP autoantibodies and found predominantly a lymphocytic and in one autopsy case a granulomatous inflammatory phenotype. Inflammatory infiltrates were composed of B and T cells, including tissue-resident memory T cells. Although obvious astrocytic damage was absent in the GFAP-staining, we found cytotoxic T cell-mediated reactions reflected by the presence of CD8+/perforin+/granzyme A/B+ cells, polarized towards astrocytes. MHC-class-I was upregulated in reactive astrocytes of all biopsies and two autopsies but not in healthy controls. Importantly, we observed a prominent immunoreactivity of astrocytes with the complement factor C4d. Finally, we provided insight into an early phase of GFAP autoimmunity in an autopsy of a pug dog encephalitis that was characterized by marked meningoencephalitis with selective astrocytic damage with loss of GFAP and AQP4 in the lesions.Our histopathological findings indicate that a cytotoxic T cell-mediated immune reaction is present in GFAP autoimmunity. Complement C4d deposition on astrocytes could either represent the cause or consequence of astrocytic reactivity. Selective astrocytic damage is prominent in the early phase of GFAP autoimmunity in a canine autopsy case, but mild or absent in subacute and chronic stages in human disease, probably due to the high regeneration potential of astrocytes. The lymphocytic and granulomatous phenotypes might reflect different stages of lesion development or patient-specific modifications of the immune response. Future studies will be necessary to investigate possible implications of pathological subtypes for clinical disease course and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Guo
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Verena Endmayr
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anastasia Zekeridou
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Andrew McKeon
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Frank Leypoldt
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein Kiel, Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein and Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Katharina Hess
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, North Rhine Westphalia, Germany
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Alicja Kalinowska-Lyszczarz
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neurochemistry and Neuropathology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Andrea Klang
- Institute of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Akos Pakozdy
- Internal Medicine, University Clinic for Small Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Elisabeth Höftberger
- Internal Medicine, University Clinic for Small Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Simon Hametner
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Carmen Haider
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Désirée De Simoni
- Division of Neurology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, University Hospital, St. Pölten, Austria
| | - Sönke Peters
- Clinic for Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ellen Gelpi
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Röcken
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Stefan Oberndorfer
- Division of Neurology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, University Hospital, St. Pölten, Austria
| | - Hans Lassmann
- Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Romana Höftberger
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
- Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
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17
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Pardo CA. Clinical Approach to Myelopathy Diagnosis. Continuum (Minneap Minn) 2024; 30:14-52. [PMID: 38330471 DOI: 10.1212/con.0000000000001390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This article describes an integrative strategy to evaluate patients with suspected myelopathy, provides advice on diagnostic approach, and outlines the framework for the etiologic diagnosis of myelopathies. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Advances in diagnostic neuroimaging techniques of the spinal cord and improved understanding of the immune pathogenic mechanisms associated with spinal cord disorders have expanded the knowledge of inflammatory and noninflammatory myelopathies. The discovery of biomarkers of disease, such as anti-aquaporin 4 and anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies involved in myelitis and other immune-related mechanisms, the emergence and identification of infectious disorders that target the spinal cord, and better recognition of myelopathies associated with vascular pathologies have expanded our knowledge about the broad clinical spectrum of myelopathies. ESSENTIAL POINTS Myelopathies include a group of inflammatory and noninflammatory disorders of the spinal cord that exhibit a wide variety of motor, sensory, gait, and sensory disturbances and produce major neurologic disability. Both inflammatory and noninflammatory myelopathies comprise a broad spectrum of pathophysiologic mechanisms and etiologic factors that lead to specific clinical features and presentations. Knowledge of the clinical variety of myelopathies and understanding of strategies for the precise diagnosis, identification of etiologic factors, and implementation of therapies can help improve outcomes.
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18
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Zheng X, Yang J, Hou Y, Shi X, Liu K. Prediction of clinical progression in nervous system diseases: plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Eur J Med Res 2024; 29:51. [PMID: 38216970 PMCID: PMC10785482 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-01631-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), an intracellular type III intermediate filament protein, provides structural support and maintains the mechanical integrity of astrocytes. It is predominantly found in the astrocytes which are the most abundant subtypes of glial cells in the brain and spinal cord. As a marker protein of astrocytes, GFAP may exert a variety of physiological effects in neurological diseases. For example, previous published literatures showed that autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Moreover, the studies of GFAP in brain tumors mainly focus on the predictive value of tumor volume. Furthermore, using biomarkers in the early setting will lead to a simplified and standardized way to estimate the poor outcome in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and ischemic stroke. Recently, observational studies revealed that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) GFAP, as a valuable potential diagnostic biomarker for neurosyphilis, had a sensitivity of 76.60% and specificity of 85.56%. The reason plasma GFAP could serve as a promising biomarker for diagnosis and prediction of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is that it effectively distinguished AD dementia from multiple neurodegenerative diseases and predicted the individual risk of AD progression. In addition, GFAP can be helpful in differentiating relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) versus progressive MS (PMS). This review article aims to provide an overview of GFAP in the prediction of clinical progression in neuroinflammation, brain tumors, TBI, ischemic stroke, genetic disorders, neurodegeneration and other diseases in the CNS and to explore the potential therapeutic methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiao Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Xinmin Street 1#, Changchun, China
| | - Jingyao Yang
- Institute of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yiwei Hou
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Xinmin Street 1#, Changchun, China
| | - Xinye Shi
- Department of Cardiology, Shanxi Yingkang Yisheng General Hospital, Renmin North Road 5188#, Yuncheng, China
| | - Kangding Liu
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Xinmin Street 1#, Changchun, China.
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Wagner B, Irani S. Autoimmune and paraneoplastic seizures. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2024; 200:151-172. [PMID: 38494275 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-823912-4.00009-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Seizures are a common feature of autoimmune encephalitis and are especially prevalent in patients with the commonest autoantibodies, against LGI1, CASPR2 and the NMDA, GABAB, and GABAA receptors. In this chapter, we discuss the classification, clinical, investigation, and treatment aspects of patients with these, and other autoantibody-mediated and -associated, illnesses. We highlight distinctive and common seizure semiologies which, often alongside other features we outline, can help the clinical diagnosis of an autoantibody-associated syndrome. Next, we classify these syndromes by either focusing on whether they represent underlying causative autoantibodies or T-cell-mediated syndromes and on the distinction between acute symptomatic seizures and a more enduring tendency to autoimmune-associated epilepsy, a practical and valuable distinction for both patients and clinicians which relates to the pathogenesis. We emphasize the more effective immunotherapy response in patients with causative autoantibodies, and discuss the emerging evidence for various first-, second-, and third-line immunotherapies. Finally, we highlight available clinical rating scales which can guide autoantibody testing and immunotherapy in patients with seizures of unknown etiology. Throughout, we relate the clinical and therapeutic observations to the immunobiology and neuroscience which drive these seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Wagner
- Neuroscience Department, NDCN, University of Oxford and Oxford University Hospitals, Oxford, United Kingdom; Kantonsspital Aarau Switzerland, Tellstrasse, Aarau, Switzerland
| | - Sarosh Irani
- Neuroscience Department, NDCN, University of Oxford and Oxford University Hospitals, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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20
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Shelly S, Dubey D, Mills JR, Klein CJ. Paraneoplastic neuropathies and peripheral nerve hyperexcitability disorders. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2024; 200:239-273. [PMID: 38494281 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-823912-4.00020-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Peripheral neuropathy is a common referral for patients to the neurologic clinics. Paraneoplastic neuropathies account for a small but high morbidity and mortality subgroup. Symptoms include weakness, sensory loss, sweating irregularity, blood pressure instability, severe constipation, and neuropathic pain. Neuropathy is the first presenting symptom of malignancy among many patients. The molecular and cellular oncogenic immune targets reside within cell bodies, axons, cytoplasms, or surface membranes of neural tissues. A more favorable immune treatment outcome occurs in those where the targets reside on the cell surface. Patients with antibodies binding cell surface antigens commonly have neural hyperexcitability with pain, cramps, fasciculations, and hyperhidrotic attacks (CASPR2, LGI1, and others). The antigenic targets are also commonly expressed in the central nervous system, with presenting symptoms being myelopathy, encephalopathy, and seizures with neuropathy, often masked. Pain and autonomic components typically relate to small nerve fiber involvement (nociceptive, adrenergic, enteric, and sudomotor), sometimes without nerve fiber loss but rather hyperexcitability. The specific antibodies discovered help direct cancer investigations. Among the primary axonal paraneoplastic neuropathies, pathognomonic clinical features do not exist, and testing for multiple antibodies simultaneously provides the best sensitivity in testing (AGNA1-SOX1; amphiphysin; ANNA-1-HU; ANNA-3-DACH1; CASPR2; CRMP5; LGI1; PCA2-MAP1B, and others). Performing confirmatory antibody testing using adjunct methods improves specificity. Antibody-mediated demyelinating paraneoplastic neuropathies are limited to MAG-IgM (IgM-MGUS, Waldenström's, and myeloma), with the others associated with cytokine elevations (VEGF, IL6) caused by osteosclerotic myeloma, plasmacytoma (POEMS), and rarely angiofollicular lymphoma (Castleman's). Paraneoplastic disorders have clinical overlap with other idiopathic antibody disorders, including IgG4 demyelinating nodopathies (NF155 and Contactin-1). This review summarizes the paraneoplastic neuropathies, including those with peripheral nerve hyperexcitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahar Shelly
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States; Department of Neurology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel; Faculty of Medicine, Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Divyanshu Dubey
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - John R Mills
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Christopher J Klein
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States.
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21
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Kadish R, Clardy SL. Epidemiology of paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2024; 200:57-77. [PMID: 38494297 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-823912-4.00011-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes (PNS), initially depicted as seemingly cryptic remote manifestations of malignancy, were first described clinically in the early 20th century, with pathophysiologic correlates becoming better elucidated in the latter half of the century. There remain many questions not only about the pathophysiology but also regarding the epidemiology of these conditions. The continuous discovery of novel autoantigens and related neurologic disease has broadened the association in classical PNS to include conditions such as paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration. It has also brought into focus several other neurologic syndromes with a putative neoplastic association. These conditions are overall rare, making it difficult to capture large numbers of patients to study, and raising the question of whether incidence is increasing over time or improved identification is driving the increased numbers of cases. With the rise and increasing use of immunotherapy for cancer treatment, the incidence of these conditions is additionally expected to rise and may present with various clinical symptoms. As we enter an era of clinical trial intervention in these conditions, much work is needed to capture more granular data on population groups defined by socioeconomic characteristics such as age, ethnicity, economic resources, and gender to optimize care and clinical trial planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Kadish
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Stacey L Clardy
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States; George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, United States.
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Bien CG, Büttner T, Reichen IC, Thomas A, Vlad B, Woermann F, Bien CI, Jelcic I. Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Autoimmunity After Aseptic Meningitis: A Report of 2 Cases. NEUROLOGY(R) NEUROIMMUNOLOGY & NEUROINFLAMMATION 2024; 11:e200180. [PMID: 37949666 PMCID: PMC10691222 DOI: 10.1212/nxi.0000000000200180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We describe 2 patients with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) autoimmunity secondary to aseptic viral meningitis or meningoencephalomyelitis. METHODS This study involved a retrospective chart review. RESULTS Two female patients, 45 and 55 years of age, developed aseptic meningoencephalomyelitis or meningitis; in one patient, it was likely caused by herpes simplex virus 2. The patients were recovering from the infectious condition when they, 51 and 5 days after onset, had new symptoms with detection of GFAP antibodies in the CSF; CSF and serum samples from the initial lumbar punctures had been negative for GFAP antibodies. Both patients recovered with steroid treatment (in one case, plus rituximab; in the other, plus azathioprine) including resolution of MRI and CSF abnormalities. DISCUSSION These 2 patients had GFAP autoimmunity secondary to viral meningoencephalomyelitis or meningitis. This suggests that GFAP astrocytopathy might not always be a primary disease entity; it may follow another brain injury that triggers this autoimmune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian G Bien
- From the Bielefeld University (C.G.B.); Klinikum Emden (T.B., A.T.), Germany; University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich (I.C.R., B.V., I.J.), Switzerland; Laboratory Krone (C.I.B.), Bad Salzuflen; Krankenhaus Mara (F.W.), Bielefeld, Germany.
| | - Thomas Büttner
- From the Bielefeld University (C.G.B.); Klinikum Emden (T.B., A.T.), Germany; University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich (I.C.R., B.V., I.J.), Switzerland; Laboratory Krone (C.I.B.), Bad Salzuflen; Krankenhaus Mara (F.W.), Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Ina C Reichen
- From the Bielefeld University (C.G.B.); Klinikum Emden (T.B., A.T.), Germany; University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich (I.C.R., B.V., I.J.), Switzerland; Laboratory Krone (C.I.B.), Bad Salzuflen; Krankenhaus Mara (F.W.), Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Annette Thomas
- From the Bielefeld University (C.G.B.); Klinikum Emden (T.B., A.T.), Germany; University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich (I.C.R., B.V., I.J.), Switzerland; Laboratory Krone (C.I.B.), Bad Salzuflen; Krankenhaus Mara (F.W.), Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Benjamin Vlad
- From the Bielefeld University (C.G.B.); Klinikum Emden (T.B., A.T.), Germany; University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich (I.C.R., B.V., I.J.), Switzerland; Laboratory Krone (C.I.B.), Bad Salzuflen; Krankenhaus Mara (F.W.), Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Friedrich Woermann
- From the Bielefeld University (C.G.B.); Klinikum Emden (T.B., A.T.), Germany; University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich (I.C.R., B.V., I.J.), Switzerland; Laboratory Krone (C.I.B.), Bad Salzuflen; Krankenhaus Mara (F.W.), Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Corinna I Bien
- From the Bielefeld University (C.G.B.); Klinikum Emden (T.B., A.T.), Germany; University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich (I.C.R., B.V., I.J.), Switzerland; Laboratory Krone (C.I.B.), Bad Salzuflen; Krankenhaus Mara (F.W.), Bielefeld, Germany.
| | - Ilijas Jelcic
- From the Bielefeld University (C.G.B.); Klinikum Emden (T.B., A.T.), Germany; University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich (I.C.R., B.V., I.J.), Switzerland; Laboratory Krone (C.I.B.), Bad Salzuflen; Krankenhaus Mara (F.W.), Bielefeld, Germany
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23
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Waters P, Mills JR, Fox H. Evolution of methods to detect paraneoplastic antibodies. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2024; 200:113-130. [PMID: 38494273 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-823912-4.00010-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
An adaptive immune response in less than 1% of people who develop cancer produces antibodies against neuronal proteins. These antibodies can be associated with paraneoplastic syndromes, and their accurate detection should instigate a search for a specific cancer. Over the years, multiple systems, from indirect immunofluorescence to live cell-based assays, have been developed to identify these antibodies. As the specific antigens were identified, high throughput, multi-antigen substrates such as line blots and ELISAs were developed for clinical laboratories. However, the evolution of assays required to identify antibodies to membrane targets has shone a light on the importance of antigen conformation for antibody detection. This chapter discusses the early antibody assays used to detect antibodies to nuclear and cytosolic targets and how new approaches are required to detect antibodies to membrane targets. The chapter presents recent data that support international recommendations against the sole use of line blots for antibody detection and highlights a new antigen-specific approach that appears promising for the detection of submembrane targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Waters
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
| | - John R Mills
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Hannah Fox
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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24
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Pan D, Gu J, Zeng C, Chen L. A Mild Phenotype of Overlapping Syndrome With Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Immunoglobulin G: Mimicking Viral Meningitis in a Patient. Neurologist 2023:00127893-990000000-00117. [PMID: 38126409 DOI: 10.1097/nrl.0000000000000547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy, an autoimmune central nervous system disorder characterized by the development of immunoglobulin G reactive with GFAP, has received growing attention in recent years. It is documented that GFAP-immunoglobulin G and other autoantibodies can be both detected in some patients. However, the coexistence of anti-myelin-oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) and GFAP antibodies is rarely reported. CASE A 45-year-old man presented with headache, fever, backache, dysuria, tremble of hands, numbness of lower limbs, without diplopia, decreased vision, or other manifestations of optic neuritis. He was initially diagnosed with viral meningitis. After antiviral therapy, his headache, fever, and dysuria were improved, but the tremble of his upper limbs and numbness of his lower limbs still existed. A lumbar puncture was further performed and found both anti-GFAP and anti-MOG antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid. No evidence of other immune disorders or infectious diseases was revealed. Meanwhile, a magnetic resonance scan showed enhancement of spinal pia mater in cervical, thoracic, and lumbar segments. He was then treated with immunoglobulin (intravenous immunoglobulin) therapy (25 g for 5 d), and steroid pulse therapy (methylprednisolone, 1 g for 5 d), followed by a gradual tapering of oral prednisolone. CONCLUSION We reported a case of overlapping anti-GFAP and anti-MOG antibody-associated syndrome. This case enriches our understanding of the clinical manifestations of overlapping syndrome and expands the spectrum of this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danmei Pan
- Department of Infectious Medicine, Ningbo No. 2 Hospital, China
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25
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Tang M, Huang S, Guo W, Zhou J, Huang Z, Li W, Sun Q, Wang Z. Case report: Excessive daytime sleepiness as a presenting manifestation of autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1302514. [PMID: 38173730 PMCID: PMC10761546 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1302514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy (GFAP-A) is a recently discovered autoimmune inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. It presents with a variety of clinical symptoms, including fever, seizures, psychiatric symptoms, limber weakness, and sensory symptoms. However, the symptoms of sleep disorders have not been sufficiently addressed. Here, we report a case of GFAP-A in which the patient complained of excessive daytime sleepiness and an excessive need for sleep. Our patient was a 58-year-old male who experienced excessive daytime sleepiness for 50 days following SARS-CoV-2 infection. He was diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 on June 1st. On the 7th of June, he experienced excessive daytime sleepiness, nausea, reduced food intake, lower limb weakness, and dysuria. Subsequently, his sleepiness significantly deteriorated on July 21st. Five months prior, the patient underwent laparoscopic partial right nephrectomy for clear-cell renal cell carcinoma. Brain MRI revealed abnormal hyperintense lesions in the pontine brain and around the mesencephalic aqueduct on T2 and T2-fluid attenuated inversion recovery (T2-FLAIR) sequences However, these lesions did not exhibit any pathological enhancement. Spinal cord MRI revealed lesions in the C6-C7 and T2-T3 segments on the T2 sequence. His Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score was 16 (reference range, <10), and 24-hour polysomnography supported the diagnosis of rapid-eye-movement sleep disorder and severe sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome. Glial fibrillary acidic protein IgG antibodies were detected in the cerebrospinal fluid (1:32, cell-based assay) but not in the serum. The level of hypocretin in the cerebrospinal fluid was 29.92 pg/mL (reference range ≥110 pg/mL), suggesting narcolepsy type 1. After treatment with corticosteroids for approximately 1 month, the patient showed considerable clinical and radiological improvement, as well as an increase in hypocretin levels. Although repeated polysomnography and multiple sleep latency tests suggested narcolepsy, his ESS score decreased to 8. Our findings broaden the range of clinical manifestations associated with GFAP-A, thereby enhancing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for this disease. Additionally, our results indicate a potential common autoimmune mechanism involving GFAP-A and orexin system dysregulation, warranting further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Zan Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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Lowe MC, Money KM, Matthews E, Pastula DM, Piquet AL. case of autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy with eosinophils in the cerebrospinal fluid. J Neuroimmunol 2023; 385:578249. [PMID: 37992587 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2023.578249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) eosinophilia is associated with a narrow differential, primarily including parasitic and fungal infections, neoplasm, and chemical meningitis. It has rarely been reported in neuroinflammatory conditions including as a finding of CSF cytology in two autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy cases. Here we describe a case of autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy with classic clinical and radiographic features as well as presence of eosinophils in the CSF. This case highlights a potential association of eosinophils in the CSF with autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy, which may suggest its inclusion in the differential diagnosis of eosinophilic meningitis, encephalitis, or myelitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mallory C Lowe
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States of America
| | - Kelli M Money
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Matthews
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States of America
| | - Daniel M Pastula
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States of America; Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States of America; Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, United States of America
| | - Amanda L Piquet
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States of America.
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27
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Xu T, Chen J, Xuan T, Cheng J, Li H. Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy complicated with low flow perimedullary arteriovenous fistula: a case report. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1293425. [PMID: 38111582 PMCID: PMC10726202 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1293425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy and low-flow perimedullary arteriovenous fistulas (PMAVFs) may cause longitudinal widespread myelopathy. We report a middle-aged male patient with autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy complicated with low flow PMAVFs disease, presenting with lower extremity weakness and dysuria. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spinal cord revealed a significant longitudinal extent of T2 high signal from T11 to L1, with the lesion located proximal to the vascular territory supplied by the anterior spinal artery. Multiple patchy abnormal signals were seen adjacent to the anterior and posterior horns of the lateral ventricles bilaterally and at the centers of the semi-ovals on MRI of the cranial brain, with iso signal in T1Flair, the high signal in T2WI, and no high signal seen in Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI). Subsequently, the presence of anti-GFAP antibodies was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and the diagnosis of autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy in conjunction with low-flow PMAVFs was confirmed through spinal digital subtraction angiography (DSA). This case report aims to increase neurologists' awareness of this disease and avoid missed or misdiagnosed cases that may lead to delayed treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Xu
- Department of Neuroelectrophysiology, Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease Hospital Branch, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Jingyun Chen
- Department of Neuroelectrophysiology, Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease Hospital Branch, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Tingting Xuan
- School of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Jiang Cheng
- Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering Technology Research Center of Nevous System Disease of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Yinchuan, China
- Department of Neurology, Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease Hospital Branch, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Haining Li
- Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering Technology Research Center of Nevous System Disease of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Yinchuan, China
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
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28
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Liu Q, Ma H, Yang D, Bian T, Ji J, Duan H, Yan H, Wang X. A case report of autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy presenting as an isolated spinal cord lesion. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e36359. [PMID: 38013264 PMCID: PMC10681385 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000036359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy (GFAP-A) is a group of neurological syndromes involving the meninges, brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves and is characterized by sensitivity to steroid therapy. Due to the diverse clinical presentation and lack of uniform diagnostic criteria, GFAP-A can easily be overlooked or diagnosed as another disease. It is even rarer when presenting as an isolated spinal cord lesion. CASE REPORT We report the case of a 70-year-old man with initial symptoms of numbness and weakness in both lower limbs, followed by difficulty in urination and defecation, and progression of numbness upward to the hands. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a lesion in the spinal cord from cervical level 2 to thoracic 7 in a T2-weighted image. T1-weighted image showed a punctate, lamellar strengthening lesion with significant spinal strengthening. GFAP immunoglobulin G (IgG) was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid and blood. After treatment with intravenous gamma globulin (IVIG), the patient symptoms improved and spinal cord enhancement was reduced. CONCLUSION Long segment cases with punctate and patchy enhancement of the spinal cord are difficult to distinguish from CLAPPERS, so GFAP-A antibody detection is very important. This atypical case also increases neurologists' understanding of GFAP-A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Liu
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Fengtai You’anmen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hongmei Ma
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Fengtai You’anmen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Yang
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Fengtai You’anmen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Tingting Bian
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Fengtai You’anmen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jinyuan Ji
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Fengtai You’anmen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Huijie Duan
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Fengtai You’anmen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Heli Yan
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Fengtai You’anmen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangbo Wang
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Fengtai You’anmen Hospital, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Manto M, Mitoma H. Recent Advances in Immune-Mediated Cerebellar Ataxias: Pathogenesis, Diagnostic Approaches, Therapies, and Future Challenges-Editorial. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1626. [PMID: 38137074 PMCID: PMC10741786 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13121626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical category of immune-mediated cerebellar ataxias (IMCAs) has been established after 3 decades of clinical and experimental research. The cerebellum is particularly enriched in antigens (ion channels and related proteins, synaptic adhesion/organizing proteins, transmitter receptors, glial cells) and is vulnerable to immune attacks. IMCAs include various disorders, including gluten ataxia (GA), post-infectious cerebellitis (PIC), Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS), paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD), opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome (OMS), and anti-GAD ataxia. Other disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS), acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), Behçet disease, and collagen vascular disorders may also present with cerebellar symptoms when lesions are localized to cerebellar pathways. The triggers of autoimmunity are established in GA (gluten sensitivity), PIC and MFS (infections), PCD (malignancy), and OMS (infections or malignant tumors). Patients whose clinical profiles do not match those of classic types of IMCAs are now included in the spectrum of primary autoimmune cerebellar ataxia (PACA). Recent remarkable progress has clarified various characteristics of these etiologies and therapeutic strategies in terms of immunotherapies. However, it still remains to be elucidated as to how immune tolerance is broken, leading to autoimmune insults of the cerebellum, and the consecutive sequence of events occurring during cerebellar damage caused by antibody- or cell-mediated mechanisms. Antibodies may specifically target the cerebellar circuitry and impair synaptic mechanisms (synaptopathies). The present Special Issue aims to illuminate what is solved and what is unsolved in clinical practice and the pathophysiology of IMCAs. Immune ataxias now represent a genuine category of immune insults to the central nervous system (CNS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Manto
- Service de Neurologie, Médiathèque Jean Jacquy, CHU-Charleroi, 6000 Charleroi, Belgium
- Service des Neurosciences, Université de Mons, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Hiroshi Mitoma
- Department of Medical Education, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo 160-8402, Japan;
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Greco G, Colombo E, Gastaldi M, Ahmad L, Tavazzi E, Bergamaschi R, Rigoni E. Beyond Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein and Aquaporin-4 Antibodies: Alternative Causes of Optic Neuritis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15986. [PMID: 37958968 PMCID: PMC10649355 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Optic neuritis (ON) is the most common cause of vision loss in young adults. It manifests as acute or subacute vision loss, often accompanied by retrobulbar discomfort or pain during eye movements. Typical ON is associated with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and is generally mild and steroid-responsive. Atypical forms are characterized by unusual features, such as prominent optic disc edema, poor treatment response, and bilateral involvement, and they are often associated with autoantibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4) or Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG). However, in some cases, AQP4 and MOG antibodies will return as negative, plunging the clinician into a diagnostic conundrum. AQP4- and MOG-seronegative ON warrants a broad differential diagnosis, including autoantibody-associated, granulomatous, and systemic disorders. These rare forms need to be identified promptly, as their management and prognosis are greatly different. The aim of this review is to describe the possible rarer etiologies of non-MS-related and AQP4- and MOG-IgG-seronegative inflammatory ON and discuss their diagnoses and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Greco
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (G.G.); (E.C.); (L.A.); (E.T.); (R.B.)
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Elena Colombo
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (G.G.); (E.C.); (L.A.); (E.T.); (R.B.)
| | - Matteo Gastaldi
- Neuroimmunology Research Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Lara Ahmad
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (G.G.); (E.C.); (L.A.); (E.T.); (R.B.)
| | - Eleonora Tavazzi
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (G.G.); (E.C.); (L.A.); (E.T.); (R.B.)
| | - Roberto Bergamaschi
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (G.G.); (E.C.); (L.A.); (E.T.); (R.B.)
| | - Eleonora Rigoni
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (G.G.); (E.C.); (L.A.); (E.T.); (R.B.)
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Liu Q, Yang X, Zhang Bao J, Ma B, Niu X, Wang X, Zhang Q, Quan C. Clinical characteristics of patient with GFAP-IgG: a review of 31 patients from two tertiary referral centers in China. Int J Neurosci 2023:1-12. [PMID: 37897492 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2023.2277664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the clinical characteristics of 31 patients exhibiting cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and/or serum positivity for GFAP-IgG, with a specific emphasis on 24 cases demonstrating only GFAP-IgG positivity. The investigation thoroughly evaluates their clinical, radiological, and laboratory features, as well as treatment responses, with the objective of offering clinicians potential diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. METHODS A total of 31 patients with GFAP-IgG in the CSF and/or serum were registered between August 2016 and August 2021 at the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University and Huashan Hospital of Fudan University. We retrospectively reviewed their clinical records. RESULTS Overall, the patients were positive with GFAP-IgG in their CSF (15/31), in serum (6/31), and both CSF and serum (10/31). Among them, two were eventually diagnosed with astroglioma and primary central nervous system lymphoma, respectively; one patient had typical multiple sclerosis; three exhibited overlapping GFAP-IgG and aquaporin-4-IgG (AQP4-IgG); and one patient was coexisting N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor IgG. The remaining 24 patients were only GFAP-IgG positive. In total, 22 out of the 24 patients had abnormal MRI outcomes, involving the brain, meninges, and spinal cord. Besides, seven of the 24 patients developed optic neuritis. The CSF protein levels positively correlated with the Expanded Disability Status Scale score (EDSSs). Significantly decreased EDSSs, modified Rankin Scale score, GFAP-IgG titer, CSF protein level, and CSF white blood cell counts were observed after immunomodulatory therapy. CONCLUSION The clinical manifestations of GFAP-IgG exhibit a wide range of phenotypes that lack specificity. These findings emphasize the significance of not exclusively relying on the presence of antibodies to diagnose GFAP-A, but rather integrating them with the clinical phenotypes. GFAP-IgG testing enables the diagnosis of autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy, a treatable autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. This condition provides opportunities for investigating innovative mechanisms of CNS autoimmunity and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Liu
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Diseases, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Yinchuan, Ningxia Province, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Diseases, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Yinchuan, Ningxia Province, China
| | - Jingzi Zhang Bao
- Department of Neurology and Rare Disease Center, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders (NCND), Shanghai, China
| | - Boya Ma
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Diseases, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Yinchuan, Ningxia Province, China
| | - Xiaoyan Niu
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Diseases, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Yinchuan, Ningxia Province, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Diseases, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Yinchuan, Ningxia Province, China
| | - Qing Zhang
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Diseases, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Yinchuan, Ningxia Province, China
| | - Chao Quan
- Department of Neurology and Rare Disease Center, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders (NCND), Shanghai, China
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Yue J, Lin P, Lian C, Yao H, Jiang L, Liao S, Xu L, Zhang J, Tan J, Chen Z, Yang J, Gao C, Huang L, Yang X, Long Y. Brain radial enhancement pattern in patients with negative glial fibrillary acidic protein-IgG: A cases series study. J Neurol Sci 2023; 453:120782. [PMID: 37683309 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2023.120782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Brain radial enhancement pattern on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been identified as typical lesions in autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy (GFAP-A). However, the authors encountered several patients without GFAP-IgG showing that such specific imaging. In the present study, we reported the clinical pictures of 5 GFAP-IgG-negative patients with GFAP-A specific imaging pattern. METHODS Data was retrospectively obtained from June 2013 through April 2023, and five GFAP-IgG-negative patients with valid data were recruited. Clinical information was either obtained by the investigators or retrieved from the referring clinicians and included prodromal symptoms, neurologic manifestations, comorbidities, results of ancillary studies. RESULTS Altogether five GFAP-IgG-negative patients with "meningoencephalitis/encephalitis" manifestations and brain radial perivascular enhancement were confirmed. One patient had peripheral lymphoma. Four patients had other autoimmune antibody in serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid, of which one patient had positive aquaporin IgG. Clinical features of the five patients included headache, fever, epilepsy and abnormal behavioral symptoms. MRI of patients revealed radial perivascular gadolinium enhancement extending from the lateral ventricles to the white matter suggestive of autoimmune GFAP-A. CONCLUSION GFAP-A-like disorders with radial perivascular enhancement could be found in GFAP-IgG-negative patients with or without neoplasm, which could provide new insight into the differential diagnosis of GFAP-A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Yue
- Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang east Road, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong Province, China; Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and The Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Neuroscience and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang east Road, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Peihao Lin
- Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang east Road, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong Province, China; Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and The Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Neuroscience and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang east Road, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Chun Lian
- Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang east Road, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong Province, China; Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and The Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Neuroscience and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang east Road, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Haiyan Yao
- Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang east Road, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong Province, China; Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and The Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Neuroscience and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang east Road, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Lihong Jiang
- Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang east Road, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong Province, China; Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and The Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Neuroscience and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang east Road, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Sha Liao
- Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang east Road, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong Province, China; Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and The Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Neuroscience and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang east Road, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Lufen Xu
- Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang east Road, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong Province, China; Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and The Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Neuroscience and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang east Road, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jiayuan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang east Road, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong Province, China; Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and The Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Neuroscience and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang east Road, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jie Tan
- Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang east Road, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong Province, China; Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and The Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Neuroscience and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang east Road, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zixuan Chen
- Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang east Road, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong Province, China; Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and The Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Neuroscience and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang east Road, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang east Road, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong Province, China; Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and The Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Neuroscience and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang east Road, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Cong Gao
- Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang east Road, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong Province, China; Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and The Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Neuroscience and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang east Road, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Li Huang
- Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang east Road, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong Province, China; Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and The Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Neuroscience and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang east Road, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xinguang Yang
- Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang east Road, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong Province, China; Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 107#Yan Jiang West Road, Guangzhou, China
| | - Youming Long
- Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang east Road, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong Province, China; Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and The Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Neuroscience and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250# Changgang east Road, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong Province, China.
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Bueno M, Acero S, Zuluaga P. Encephalopathy due to anti-GFAP antibodies in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. Med Clin (Barc) 2023; 161:317-318. [PMID: 37400304 DOI: 10.1016/j.medcli.2023.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marvin Bueno
- University Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sofia Acero
- University Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paola Zuluaga
- University Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Barcelona, Spain.
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Kaga M, Ueda T, Yoshikawa S. A rare case of glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy that resolved spontaneously within a self-limited course. Heliyon 2023; 9:e20912. [PMID: 37867900 PMCID: PMC10589841 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy is a form of autoimmune meningoencephalomyelitis. The presence of antibodies in spinal fluid against glial fibrillary acidic protein is necessary to diagnose the disease. There is no standard treatment and few cases of glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy have been reported. A 31-year-old healthy Japanese man presented to our emergency department with a 7-day history of fever and headache. He was in good general condition, without abnormalities on physical examination, and a general hematological examination revealed hyponatremia (130 mEq/L). Five days later, he was followed up and new subjective symptoms were noted: tremor in the right hand, constipation, sweating, and lightheadedness. Cerebrospinal fluid examination revealed a cell count of 57/μL (96 % mononuclear cells, 4 % multinuclear cells), elevated protein level (103 mg/dL), elevated adenosine deaminase level (15.0 U/L), negative polymerase chain reaction test results for herpes simplex virus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, negative cerebrospinal fluid culture, and negative cerebrospinal fluid anti-acid bacteria culture, indicating aseptic meningitis. T1-weighted contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the head showed a linear contrast effect perpendicular to the lateral ventricular wall and along the perivascular vessels spreading radially. Based on the presence of hyponatremia, history of movement disorder and autonomic symptoms, high adenosine deaminase level in cerebrospinal fluid, and findings on contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the head, we suspected glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy and assessed anti-glial fibrillary acidic proteinαantibody in cerebrospinal fluid, which was positive, and diagnosed glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy. After careful follow-up with symptomatic treatment without immunosuppressive therapy, the fever, headache, tremor, and autonomic symptoms were improved over time. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the head and findings of cerebrospinal fluid also showed improvement. glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy should be a differential diagnosis in patients with aseptic meningitis with movement disorders or autonomic symptoms and elevated cerebrospinal fluid adenosine deaminase. Careful follow-up without immunosuppressive treatment should be considered for patients with minimal neurologic symptoms as glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy may have a self-limiting course and resolve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihiro Kaga
- Emergency and General Internal Medicine, Rakuwakai Marutamachi Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Clinical Biostatistics, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeshi Ueda
- Emergency and General Internal Medicine, Rakuwakai Marutamachi Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yoshikawa
- Emergency and General Internal Medicine, Rakuwakai Marutamachi Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
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Carneiro I, Sá MI, Berhanu D, Guerreiro C. Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) meningoencephalomyelitis. BMJ Case Rep 2023; 16:e257565. [PMID: 37770239 PMCID: PMC10546145 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2023-257565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Inês Carneiro
- Serviço de Imagiologia Neurológica, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte EPE, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria Inês Sá
- Serviço de Imagiologia Neurológica, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte EPE, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - David Berhanu
- Serviço de Imagiologia Neurológica, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte EPE, Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Católica Medical School, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Portugal, Portugal
| | - Carla Guerreiro
- Serviço de Imagiologia Neurológica, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte EPE, Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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Li T, Li X, Hong S, Jiang L, Ma J. Clinical characteristics of autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy in children: A case series of 16 patients. J Neuroimmunol 2023; 382:578176. [PMID: 37572437 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2023.578176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the clinical characteristics of autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy in children. METHODS We reviewed the medical records of Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2020 to September 2021 and retrospectively analysed the clinical features, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, laboratory findings, treatment and outcome of children with autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy. RESULTS Sixteen patients were included: 6 and 10 tested positive for GFAP-IgG in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and both CSF and serum, respectively. The median patient age was 115 months (range: 36-180 months), and 7 patients (43.8%) were male. All patients had the clinical syndrome of encephalitis/meningoencephalitis with or without myelitis: encephalitis (8), meningoencephalitis (3), encephalomyelitis (1) and meningoencephalomyelitis (4). The most common clinical symptoms were fever (11), altered consciousness (11), headache (10) and seizure (9). Four patients developed central respiratory failure for which mechanical ventilation was needed. All patients showed hyperintense T2-weighted lesions on brain MRI in the cerebral white matter (13), brainstem (11), basal ganglia (11), thalamus (9), and cerebellum (3). Nine patients (56%) had abnormal hyperintense lesions in the bilateral basal ganglia and thalamus. Six of 12 patients who underwent gadolinium-enhanced brain MRI showed abnormal enhancement images, and five of them showed linear perivascular radial enhancement. The modified Rankin scale (mRS) score decreased significantly in most patients after immunotherapy. Two patients with coexisting neural autoantibodies relapsed; however, 15 patients who were followed up successfully had favorable outcomes at the last follow-up. CONCLUSION Children with autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy usually have a clinical syndrome of encephalitis/meningoencephalitis with or without myelitis. Except for the linear perivascular radial gadolinium enhancement pattern, hyperintense lesions in the bilateral basal ganglia and thalamus might be another characteristic brain MRI finding of autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy in children. Although a few patients with coexisting neural autoantibodies might relapse, children with autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy usually have favorable outcomes after immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyi Li
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiujuan Li
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Siqi Hong
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiannan Ma
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China.
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Greco G, Masciocchi S, Diamanti L, Bini P, Vegezzi E, Marchioni E, Colombo E, Rigoni E, Businaro P, Ferraro OE, Bianchi Marzoli S, Bergamaschi R, Franciotta D, Gastaldi M. Visual System Involvement in Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Astrocytopathy: Two Case Reports and a Systematic Literature Review. NEUROLOGY(R) NEUROIMMUNOLOGY & NEUROINFLAMMATION 2023; 10:e200146. [PMID: 37582612 PMCID: PMC10427126 DOI: 10.1212/nxi.0000000000200146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) antibodies can associate with an astrocytopathy often presenting as a meningoencephalitis. Visual involvement has been reported but scarcely defined. We describe 2 cases of GFAP astrocytopathy with predominant visual symptoms and present a systematic review of the literature. METHODS We describe 2 patients with GFAP astrocytopathy from our neurology department. We performed a systematic review of the literature according to PRISMA guidelines, including all patients with this disease and available clinical data, focusing on visual involvement. RESULTS Patient 1 presented with bilateral optic disc edema and severe sudden bilateral loss of vision poorly responsive to therapy. Patient 2 showed bilateral optic disc edema, headache, and mild visual loss with complete recovery after steroids. We screened 275 records and included 84 articles (62 case reports and 22 case series) for a total of 592 patients. Visual involvement was reported in 149/592 (25%), with either clinical symptoms or paraclinical test-restricted abnormalities. Bilateral optic disc edema was found in 80/159 (50%) of patients investigated with fundoscopy, among which 49/80 (61%) were asymptomatic. One hundred (100/592, 17%) reported visual symptoms, often described as blurred vision or transient visual obscurations. Optic neuritis was rare and diagnosed in only 6% of all patients with GFAP astrocytopathy, often without consistent clinical and paraclinical evidence to support the diagnosis. Four patients (including patient 1) manifested a severe, bilateral optic neuritis with poor treatment response. In patients with follow-up information, a relapsing disease course was more frequently observed in those with vs without visual involvement (35% vs 11%, p = 0.0035, OR 3.6 [CI 1.44-8.88]). DISCUSSION Visual system involvement in GFAP astrocytopathy is common and heterogeneous, ranging from asymptomatic bilateral optic disc edema to severe bilateral loss of vision, but optic neuritis is rare. GFAP CSF antibody testing should be considered in patients with encephalitis/meningoencephalitis or myelitis and bilateral optic disc edema, even without visual symptoms, and in patients with severe bilateral optic neuritis, especially when AQP4 antibodies are negative. Visual symptoms might associate with a higher relapse risk and help to identify patients who may require chronic immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Greco
- From the Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences (G.G., S.M., E.V., P. Businaro), University of Pavia; IRCCS Mondino Foundation (G.G., S.M., L.D., P. Bini, E.V., E.M., E.C., E.R., R.B., D.F., M.G.), National Neurological Institute; Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology (O.E.F.), Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia; and Neuro-Ophthalmology Center and Ocular Electrophysiology Laboratory (S.B.M.), Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS Capitanio Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Masciocchi
- From the Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences (G.G., S.M., E.V., P. Businaro), University of Pavia; IRCCS Mondino Foundation (G.G., S.M., L.D., P. Bini, E.V., E.M., E.C., E.R., R.B., D.F., M.G.), National Neurological Institute; Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology (O.E.F.), Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia; and Neuro-Ophthalmology Center and Ocular Electrophysiology Laboratory (S.B.M.), Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS Capitanio Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Diamanti
- From the Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences (G.G., S.M., E.V., P. Businaro), University of Pavia; IRCCS Mondino Foundation (G.G., S.M., L.D., P. Bini, E.V., E.M., E.C., E.R., R.B., D.F., M.G.), National Neurological Institute; Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology (O.E.F.), Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia; and Neuro-Ophthalmology Center and Ocular Electrophysiology Laboratory (S.B.M.), Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS Capitanio Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Bini
- From the Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences (G.G., S.M., E.V., P. Businaro), University of Pavia; IRCCS Mondino Foundation (G.G., S.M., L.D., P. Bini, E.V., E.M., E.C., E.R., R.B., D.F., M.G.), National Neurological Institute; Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology (O.E.F.), Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia; and Neuro-Ophthalmology Center and Ocular Electrophysiology Laboratory (S.B.M.), Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS Capitanio Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Vegezzi
- From the Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences (G.G., S.M., E.V., P. Businaro), University of Pavia; IRCCS Mondino Foundation (G.G., S.M., L.D., P. Bini, E.V., E.M., E.C., E.R., R.B., D.F., M.G.), National Neurological Institute; Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology (O.E.F.), Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia; and Neuro-Ophthalmology Center and Ocular Electrophysiology Laboratory (S.B.M.), Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS Capitanio Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Enrico Marchioni
- From the Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences (G.G., S.M., E.V., P. Businaro), University of Pavia; IRCCS Mondino Foundation (G.G., S.M., L.D., P. Bini, E.V., E.M., E.C., E.R., R.B., D.F., M.G.), National Neurological Institute; Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology (O.E.F.), Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia; and Neuro-Ophthalmology Center and Ocular Electrophysiology Laboratory (S.B.M.), Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS Capitanio Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Colombo
- From the Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences (G.G., S.M., E.V., P. Businaro), University of Pavia; IRCCS Mondino Foundation (G.G., S.M., L.D., P. Bini, E.V., E.M., E.C., E.R., R.B., D.F., M.G.), National Neurological Institute; Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology (O.E.F.), Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia; and Neuro-Ophthalmology Center and Ocular Electrophysiology Laboratory (S.B.M.), Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS Capitanio Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Eleonora Rigoni
- From the Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences (G.G., S.M., E.V., P. Businaro), University of Pavia; IRCCS Mondino Foundation (G.G., S.M., L.D., P. Bini, E.V., E.M., E.C., E.R., R.B., D.F., M.G.), National Neurological Institute; Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology (O.E.F.), Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia; and Neuro-Ophthalmology Center and Ocular Electrophysiology Laboratory (S.B.M.), Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS Capitanio Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Businaro
- From the Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences (G.G., S.M., E.V., P. Businaro), University of Pavia; IRCCS Mondino Foundation (G.G., S.M., L.D., P. Bini, E.V., E.M., E.C., E.R., R.B., D.F., M.G.), National Neurological Institute; Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology (O.E.F.), Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia; and Neuro-Ophthalmology Center and Ocular Electrophysiology Laboratory (S.B.M.), Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS Capitanio Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Ottavia E Ferraro
- From the Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences (G.G., S.M., E.V., P. Businaro), University of Pavia; IRCCS Mondino Foundation (G.G., S.M., L.D., P. Bini, E.V., E.M., E.C., E.R., R.B., D.F., M.G.), National Neurological Institute; Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology (O.E.F.), Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia; and Neuro-Ophthalmology Center and Ocular Electrophysiology Laboratory (S.B.M.), Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS Capitanio Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Bianchi Marzoli
- From the Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences (G.G., S.M., E.V., P. Businaro), University of Pavia; IRCCS Mondino Foundation (G.G., S.M., L.D., P. Bini, E.V., E.M., E.C., E.R., R.B., D.F., M.G.), National Neurological Institute; Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology (O.E.F.), Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia; and Neuro-Ophthalmology Center and Ocular Electrophysiology Laboratory (S.B.M.), Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS Capitanio Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Bergamaschi
- From the Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences (G.G., S.M., E.V., P. Businaro), University of Pavia; IRCCS Mondino Foundation (G.G., S.M., L.D., P. Bini, E.V., E.M., E.C., E.R., R.B., D.F., M.G.), National Neurological Institute; Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology (O.E.F.), Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia; and Neuro-Ophthalmology Center and Ocular Electrophysiology Laboratory (S.B.M.), Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS Capitanio Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Diego Franciotta
- From the Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences (G.G., S.M., E.V., P. Businaro), University of Pavia; IRCCS Mondino Foundation (G.G., S.M., L.D., P. Bini, E.V., E.M., E.C., E.R., R.B., D.F., M.G.), National Neurological Institute; Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology (O.E.F.), Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia; and Neuro-Ophthalmology Center and Ocular Electrophysiology Laboratory (S.B.M.), Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS Capitanio Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Gastaldi
- From the Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences (G.G., S.M., E.V., P. Businaro), University of Pavia; IRCCS Mondino Foundation (G.G., S.M., L.D., P. Bini, E.V., E.M., E.C., E.R., R.B., D.F., M.G.), National Neurological Institute; Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology (O.E.F.), Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia; and Neuro-Ophthalmology Center and Ocular Electrophysiology Laboratory (S.B.M.), Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS Capitanio Hospital, Milan, Italy.
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Cheng W, He L, Luo H, Jiang Y, Tan C, Fan X. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Characteristics of Autoimmune Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) Astrocytopathy: A Pediatric Series in Southwest China. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2023; 19:1685-1693. [PMID: 37538100 PMCID: PMC10395509 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s417492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To investigate and summarize the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) manifestations of autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy in children. Methods We retrospectively analyzed data from 17 pediatric patients with autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy confirmed by the detection of GFAP autoantibodies in cerebrospinal fluid in our single-center. Furthermore, we reviewed current literature and summarized previous findings on the MRI characteristics of this disease in children. Results In these 17 patients, the clinical manifestations and results of CSF analysis were suggestive of autoimmune disorder, with a good improvement. The lesions on MRI were most commonly located in the bilateral basal ganglia (70.6%), thalamus (64.7%), cerebral white matter (29.4%). 93.3% of the cerebral lesions were relatively scattered and small, 80% of the spinal lesions presented as longitudinally extensive ones. Both periventricular radial linear (PVRL) (53.8%) and punctate or linear enhancement in basal ganglia and thalamus (53.8%) were commonly observed, followed by the leptomeningeal enhancement (46.2% in the brain and 62.5% in the spinal cord). We then included 55 pediatric patients with MRI data from current literature in our analysis (n = 72, 44 males). Our results revealed similar MRI findings but the enhancement pattern between our series and previously published cases, that is, leptomeningeal enhancement in the brain 46.2% vs 31.4%, in spinal cord 62.5% vs 18.4%, and PVRL enhancement 53.8% vs 11.2%. There were no detailed reports on punctate or linear enhancement. Conclusion The MRI characteristics of autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy in children could be suggestive. Scattered and small lesions (especially punctate or linear) in the bilateral thalamus, basal ganglia, and white matter, as well as longitudinally extensive spinal cord lesions (if present), with punctate, PVRL and leptomeningeal enhancement might be a distinct indication for the early diagnosis of this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqin Cheng
- Department of Radiology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ling He
- Department of Radiology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hechuan Luo
- Department of Radiology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chengbing Tan
- Department of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiao Fan
- Department of Radiology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
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Zhang W, Xie Y, Wang Y, Liu F, Wang L, Lian Y, Liu H, Wang C, Xie N. Clinical characteristics and prognostic factors for short-term outcomes of autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy: a retrospective analysis of 33 patients. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1136955. [PMID: 37350972 PMCID: PMC10282742 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1136955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy (GFAP-A) is a recently discovered inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) disease, whose clinical characteristics and prognostic factors for short-term outcomes have not been defined yet. We aimed to assess the symptoms, laboratory tests, imaging findings, treatment, and short-term prognosis of GFAP-A. Methods A double-center retrospective cohort study was performed between May 2018 and July 2022. The clinical characteristics and prognostic factors for short-term outcomes were determined. Results We enrolled 33 patients with a median age of 28 years (range: 2-68 years), 15 of whom were children (<18 years). The clinical spectrum is dominated by meningoencephalomyelitis. Besides, we also found nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, and neuropathic pain in some GFAP-A patients, which were not mentioned in previous reports. And adults were more prone to limb numbness than children. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed lesions involving the brain parenchyma, meninges, and spinal cord, exhibiting patchy, linear, punctate, and strip T2 hyperintensities. First-line immunotherapy, including corticosteroid and gamma globulin, was effective in most patients in the acute phase (P = 0.02). However, patients with overlapping AQP4 antibodies did not respond well to first-line immunotherapy and coexisting neural autoantibodies were more common in women. Additionally, the short-term prognosis was significantly better in children than in adults (P = 0.04). Positive non-neural autoantibodies and proven viral infection were independent factors associated with poor outcomes (P = 0.03, 0.02, respectively). Conclusion We expanded the spectrum of clinical symptoms of autoimmune GFAP-A. The clinical symptoms and short-term prognosis differed between children and adults. Positive non-neural autoantibodies and proven viral infection at admission suggest a poor short-term prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanwan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yinyin Xie
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yali Wang
- Department of Neurology, Henan Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Fengxia Liu
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Neurology, Henan Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yajun Lian
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hongbo Liu
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Cui Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Nanchang Xie
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Dalmau J, Graus F. Diagnostic criteria for autoimmune encephalitis: utility and pitfalls for antibody-negative disease. Lancet Neurol 2023; 22:529-540. [PMID: 37210100 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(23)00083-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Increased awareness of autoimmune encephalitis has led to two unintended consequences: a high frequency of misdiagnoses and the inappropriate use of diagnostic criteria for antibody-negative disease. Misdiagnoses typically occur for three reasons: first, non-adherence to reported clinical requirements for considering a disorder as possible autoimmune encephalitis; second, inadequate assessment of inflammatory changes in brain MRI and CSF; and third, absent or limited use of brain tissue assays along with use of cell-based assays that include only a narrow range of antigens. For diagnosis of possible autoimmune encephalitis and probable antibody-negative autoimmune encephalitis, clinicians should adhere to published criteria for adults and children, focusing particularly on exclusion of alternative disorders. Moreover, for diagnosis of probable antibody-negative autoimmune encephalitis, the absence of neural antibodies in CSF and serum should be well substantiated. Neural antibody testing should use tissue assays along with cell-based assays that include a broad range of antigens. Live neuronal studies in specialised centres can assist in resolving inconsistencies with respect to syndrome-antibody associations. Accurate diagnosis of probable antibody-negative autoimmune encephalitis will identify patients with similar syndromes and biomarkers, which will provide homogeneous populations for future assessments of treatment response and outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josep Dalmau
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain; Neurology Department, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Francesc Graus
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
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Lin J, Dong L, Yu L, Huang J. Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy coexistent with reversible splenial lesion syndrome: A case report and literature review. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1192118. [PMID: 37305765 PMCID: PMC10249068 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1192118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy is a rare autoimmune disorder. Reversible splenial lesion syndrome (RESLES) is a transient clinical-imaging syndrome characterized by specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) pattern. A 58-year-old man was admitted with a fever, headache, and confusion for 1 week. Brain MRI showed abnormal leptomeningeal enhancement in the brainstem and high signal intensity on diffusion-weighted MRI of the corpus callosum. Anti-GFAP antibody was positive in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. This patient significantly improved and had no relapse after glucocorticoid and immune suppressant therapy. A repeated brain MRI revealed the lesion in the corpus callosum and abnormal leptomeningeal enhancement in the brainstem disappeared. Linear perivascular radial enhancement is the characteristic pattern of autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy which is rarely coexistent with RESLES.
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Cao S, Du J, Pan S, Zhang J, Xu S, Wei L, Tian Y. Case Report: Ofatumumab treatment in a patient with rituximab-intolerant refractory autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1164181. [PMID: 37223100 PMCID: PMC10200986 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1164181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ofatumumab, a fully humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, has shown promising efficacy in limited cases of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, but there is a lack of studies on its use in autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy. We present a case of refractory GFAP astrocytopathy with poor response to conventional immunosuppressants and rituximab who responded well to subcutaneous ofatumumab. Case report The patient is a 36-year-old woman with a diagnosis of GFAP astrocytopathy and high disease activity. She experienced five relapses over three years despite immunosuppressive treatment with oral prednisone, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, and intravenous rituximab. Additionally, her circulating B cells were not completely depleted during the second administration of rituximab and an allergic reaction occurred. Based on insufficient B cell depletion and allergic reaction to rituximab, subcutaneous ofatumumab was introduced. After twelve injections of ofatumumab without injection-related reactions, she had no further relapses and was sufficiently depleted of the circulating B cells. Discussion This case illustrates the effective use and good tolerance of ofatumumab in GFAP astrocytopathy. Further studies are needed to investigate the efficacy and safety of ofatumumab in refractory GFAP astrocytopathy or those intolerant to rituximab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shugang Cao
- Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Neurology, The Second People’s Hospital of Hefei, Hefei, China
| | - Jing Du
- Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Psychology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Sidi Pan
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Juanjuan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Si Xu
- Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ling Wei
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yanghua Tian
- Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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Baskaran AB, Grebenciucova E, Shoemaker T, Graham EL. Current Updates on the Diagnosis and Management of Multiple Sclerosis for the General Neurologist. J Clin Neurol 2023; 19:217-229. [PMID: 37151139 PMCID: PMC10169923 DOI: 10.3988/jcn.2022.0208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-driven disease that affects the central nervous system and is characterized by acute-on-chronic demyelination attacks. It is a major cause of global neurological disability, and its prevalence has increased in the United States. Conceptual understandings of MS have evolved over time, including the identification of B cells as key factors in its pathophysiology. The foundation of MS management involves preventing flares so as to avoid long-term functional decline. Treatments may be categorized into low-, middle-, and high-efficacy medications based on their efficacy in relapse prevention. With 24 FDA-approved treatments for MS, individual therapy is chosen based on distinct mechanisms and potential side effects. This review provides a detailed update on the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment advances, and major ongoing research investigations in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elena Grebenciucova
- Division of Neuroimmunology, Division of Neuroinfectious Diseases, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Edith L Graham
- Division of Neuroimmunology, Division of Neuroinfectious Diseases, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Jia N, Wang J, He Y, Li Z, Lai C. Isolated optic neuritis with positive glial fibrillary acidic protein antibody. BMC Ophthalmol 2023; 23:184. [PMID: 37101204 PMCID: PMC10131402 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-023-02927-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy (GFAP-A) has been reported as a spectrum of autoimmune, inflammatory central nervous system disorders. Linear perivascular radial gadolinium enhancement patterns on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are a hallmark of these disorders. GFAP-A is associated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) GFAP antibody (GFAP-Ab), while the association with serum GFAP-Ab is less clear. This study aimed to observe the clinical characteristic and MRI changes of GFAP-Ab-positive optic neuritis (ON). METHODS We performed a retrospective, observational case study at the department of neurology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, from December 2020 to December 2021. The serum of 43 patients and CSF samples of 38 patients with ON were tested for GFAP-Ab by cell-based indirect immune-fluorescence test. RESULTS Four patients (9.3%) were detected GFAP-Ab positive, and in three out of the four patients, GFAP-Abs were detected only in serum. All of them demonstrated unilateral optic neuritis. Three patients (1, 2, and 4) experienced severe visual loss (best corrected visual acuity ≤ 0.1). Two patients (2 and 4) had experienced more than one episode of ON at the time of sampling. MRI showed optic nerve hyperintensity on T2 FLAIR images in all GFAP-Ab positive patients, and orbital section involvement was the most common. During follow-up (mean 4.5 ± 1 months), only Patient 1 had a recurrent ON, and no patient developed new other neurological events or systemic symptoms. CONCLUSION GFAP-Ab is rare in patients with ON and may manifest as isolated, relapsing ON. This supports the notion that the GFAP-A spectrum should comprise isolated ON.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Jia
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiawei Wang
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuhong He
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhong Li
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Chuntao Lai
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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Lan W, Li J, Ai P, Luo W. Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy: clinical analysis and review of 15 cases. Acta Neurol Belg 2023:10.1007/s13760-023-02268-0. [PMID: 37079256 PMCID: PMC10117260 DOI: 10.1007/s13760-023-02268-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To review clinical characteristics, auxiliary examination results, treatment effects, and outcomes of patients with autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy (GFAP-A). METHODS We collated and retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 15 patients admitted with clinical characteristics of an autoimmune GFAP-A acute encephalitis or meningitis phenotype. RESULTS All patients were diagnosed with acute-onset meningoencephalitis and meningoencephalomyelitis. Initial presentations included pyrexia and headache at onset; dual symptoms of prominent tremor with urinary and bowel dysfunction; ataxia, psychiatric and behavioral abnormalities, and impaired consciousness; neck resistance; reduced extremity muscle strength; blurred vision; epileptic seizures; and reduced basic blood pressure. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination showed that the degree of protein elevation was significantly higher than the degree of increase in white blood cells. Moreover, in the absence of obvious low chloride and glucose levels, CSF chloride levels decreased in 13 patients, accompanied by a CSF glucose level decrease in four. Brain abnormalities were found in magnetic resonance imaging of ten patients, with a linear radial perivascular enhancement present in the lateral ventricles of two patients and symmetric abnormalities in the splenium of the corpus callosum in three patients. CONCLUSIONS Autoimmune GFAP-A may be a spectrum disorder, with acute- or subacute-onset meningitis, encephalitis, and myelitis being the main phenotypes. When used for acute stage treatment, combined hormone and immunoglobulin therapy was superior to hormone pulse therapy or immunoglobulin pulse therapy alone. However, hormone pulse therapy alone without immunoglobulin pulse therapy was associated with a greater number of remaining neurological deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Lan
- Department of Neurology, Huizhou Central People's Hospital, No. 41, Eling North Road, Huizhou, 516001, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiming Li
- Department of Neurology, Huizhou Central People's Hospital, No. 41, Eling North Road, Huizhou, 516001, Guangdong, China.
| | - Peiying Ai
- Department of Neurology, Huizhou Central People's Hospital, No. 41, Eling North Road, Huizhou, 516001, Guangdong, China
| | - Weiliang Luo
- Department of Neurology, Huizhou Central People's Hospital, No. 41, Eling North Road, Huizhou, 516001, Guangdong, China
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Wang S, Yuan J, Liu J. Autoimmune Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (Gfap) Astrocytopa-Thy Accompanied with Reversible Splenial Lesion Syndrome (RESLES): A Case Report and Literature Review. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13040659. [PMID: 37190624 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13040659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy usually presents as meningoencephalomyelitis. Many patients developed flu-like symptoms preceding the neurologic symptoms. Reversible lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum (SCC) is a clinical and radiological syndrome secondary to many kinds of etiologies, including infections, which is termed RESLES. CASE PRESENTATION we reported a case developing irregularly high fever, both temporal pain, low limbs fatigue with frequent urination admitted to our neurology department. CSF test showed GFAP-IgG positive, elevated WBC counts and protein, with low glucose and chlorine, while MRI showed a reversible lesion on SCC, leading us to diagnose autoimmune GFAP autocytopathy accompanied with RESLES. The boy had significantly improved after anti-virus and steroids therapy. DISCUSSION Autoimmune GFAP autocytopathy accompanied with RESLES is rarely seen, and pathogenesis for the co-existence has not been clarified. Autoimmune GFAP autocytopathy and RESLES are both related to viral infection. Our case covered infectious symptoms and improved after antiviral treatment, suggesting virus infection may perform a key role in pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siting Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Jianlan Yuan
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Jingli Liu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
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Yaguchi T, Kimura A, Takekoshi A, Matsuo M, Tomita H, Shimohata T. Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy associated with breast cancer: a case report. BMC Neurol 2023; 23:145. [PMID: 37016352 PMCID: PMC10071775 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-023-03194-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy (GFAP-A) is an autoimmune inflammatory central nervous system disorder characterized by the detection of autoantibodies that recognize GFAP in CSF. The pathogenesis of GFAP-A is poorly understood. Some patients had a neoplasm detected and GFAP expressed by neoplasms is plausible as immunogen triggering paraneoplastic neurological autoimmunity. CASE PRESENTATION We report a case of 76-year-old female patient with GFAP-A complicated with breast cancer. She presented with altered consciousness, nuchal rigidity, speech disturbances, and weakness. Her clinical symptoms were improved by immunotherapy and cancer treatments. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the restricted tumor expressed GFAP. The infiltration of CD3 + T cells were observed in the peritumoral and intratumoral areas. The most common infiltrating lymphocytes were CD8 + T cells. CD4 + T cells and CD20 + B cells were also observed in the predominant peritumoral area. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that GFAP-A may occur in a paraneoplastic neurological syndrome associated with breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomonori Yaguchi
- Department of Neurology, Gifu Prefectural General Medical Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Akio Kimura
- Department of Neurology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan
| | - Akira Takekoshi
- Department of Neurology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan
| | - Mikiko Matsuo
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Tomita
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Takayoshi Shimohata
- Department of Neurology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan.
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Goyne CE, Piccioni D, Handwerker J, Rajagopal A. Radiographic evolution of myelitis in a case of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy. BMJ Case Rep 2023; 16:16/3/e248921. [PMID: 36898710 PMCID: PMC10008168 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2022-248921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune glial fibrillar acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy is a rare autoimmune neuroinflammatory disorder that affects the central nervous system. We present a case of GFAP astrocytopathy in a middle-aged male who presented with constitutional symptoms, encephalopathy and lower extremity weakness and numbness. Initially MRI of the spine was normal, but he subsequently developed longitudinally extensive myelitis and meningoencephalitis. Workup for infectious aetiologies was negative and the patient's clinical course worsened despite broad antimicrobial coverage. Ultimately, he was found to have anti-GFAP antibodies in his cerebral spinal fluid consistent with GFAP astrocytopathy. He was treated with steroids and plasmapheresis with clinical and radiographic improvement. This case demonstrates the temporal evolution of myelitis on MRI in a case of steroid-refractory GFAP astrocytopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jason Handwerker
- University of California Medical Center Hillcrest, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Amutha Rajagopal
- Infectious Disease, University of California, La Jolla, California, USA
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Qin N, Wu X, Wang J, Wang W, Wang X, Ma Y, Wang L. Case report: Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy misdiagnosed as tuberculous meningitis. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1123603. [PMID: 36970528 PMCID: PMC10034075 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1123603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionAutoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy is a new form of autoimmunity-mediated central nervous system disease. It is especially easy to misdiagnose when clinical symptoms and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) indicators are similar to those observed in patients with tuberculous meningitis (TBM).MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed five cases of autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy that were initially misdiagnosed as TBM.ResultsIn the five reported cases, all but one patient had meningoencephalitis in the clinic, and all patients exhibited increased pressure, lymphocytosis, increased protein levels, and decreased glucose levels in their CSF results and did not have typical imaging findings of autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy. TBM was the initial diagnosis in all five patients. However, we found no direct evidence of tuberculosis infection, and anti-tuberculosis treatment had inconclusive effects. Following a GFAP antibody test, the diagnosis of autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy was made.ConclusionWhen there is a suspected diagnosis of TBM but TB-related tests are negative, the possibility of autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy should be considered.
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Salari M, Etemadifar M, Soleymani R, Murgai AA, Rashedi R. A case of glial fibrillary acidotic protein (GFAP) meningoencephalitis with rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Case Rep 2023; 11:e7038. [PMID: 36879678 PMCID: PMC9984675 DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.7038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS), which affects various regions in the CNS, presenting by variable clinical manifestations. Meningoencephalitis is the most common clinical presentation and association with autoimmune disorders has been reported in about 20% of these patients. Diagnosis is confirmed by the presence of CSF or serum immunoglobulin-G (IgG) against GFAP. The reported case is a 53-year-old woman with the history of long-standing rheumatoid arthritis who first presented with acute-onset dizziness and gait disturbance, periventricular linear and radial enhancement pattern on MRI, and normal CSF analysis, successfully treated with an increase in the dose of oral steroids. After a year she had a subacute-onset, moderate to severe holocephalic headache, normal neurologic examination and CSF analysis, and bilateral diffuse, pachymeningeal, and leptomeningeal enhancement on MRI. According to her Brain MRI imaging with relapsing remitting course steroid responsive ataxia and aseptic meningitis, her serum was tested for GFAP IgG antibodies which was positive. The reported patient is the first in the literature reported pachymeningitis in GFAP astrocytopathy. This case highlights the co-occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis with GFAP-associated astrocytopathy, and expands on the previously reported cases with similar association. This might also suggest a common immune pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehri Salari
- Functional Neurosurgery Research Center, Shohada Tajrish Neurosurgical Center of Excellence Shahid Beheshti University of medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Masoud Etemadifar
- Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Medical School Isfahan University of Medical Sciences Isfahan Iran
| | - Reyhaneh Soleymani
- Functional Neurosurgery Research Center, Shohada Tajrish Neurosurgical Center of Excellence Shahid Beheshti University of medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | | | - Ronak Rashedi
- Functional Neurosurgery Research Center, Shohada Tajrish Neurosurgical Center of Excellence Shahid Beheshti University of medical Sciences Tehran Iran
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