ABSTRACT
Objective:To evaluate the significance of copy number variation (CNV) and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the diagnosis of meningeal carcinomatosis (MC).Methods:Ten patients with MC diagnosed in the Department of Neurology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from March 2022 to June 2022 were consecutively enrolled in this study. The patients were diagnosed according to the criteria of the Chinese expert consensus on the diagnosis of MC by the Chinese Society of Infectious Diseases and Cerebrospinal Fluid Cytology, and the diagnosis of MC was confirmed by CSF cytology. The control group included 10 patients who were diagnosed as autoimmune encephalitis or viral encephalitis. CSF mNGS and CNV analysis were performed simultaneously in all the patients.Results:Of the 10 patients with MC, 6 had lung adenocarcinoma, 4 had breast cancer. CSF mNGS and CNV analysis detected large CNV in 8 of 10 patients with MC, including 4 patients with breast cancer and 4 patients with lung cancer. The results of pathogenic microorganism analysis of CSF mNGS in all the patients were negative. Meanwhile, large CNV was not detected in the control group.Conclusions:CSF CNV can serve as a diagnostic marker for MC. The combination of mNGS and CNV analysis has demonstrated a high positive rate in the diagnosis of MC. The dual-omics analysis of pathogenic microorganisms and CNV has been proposed as a potential strategy to further expand the clinical utility of CSF mNGS in the realm of auxiliary diagnosis.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the epidemiology, clinical features and prognosis of pseudorabies virus (PRV) infection in human.Methods:A case of human PRV encephalitis combined with acute retinal necrosis (ARN) in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in May 2020 was reported. The epidemiology, clinical features, neuroimaging, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), next-generation sequencing (NGS), treatment and prognosis of human PRV infection were summarized and analyzed with the previous published data.Results:The present case was a 38-year-old man who developed high fever, headache, cognitive decline, recurrent epileptic seizures after butchering a pig. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed lesions in the insular lobes, temporal lobes, cingulate gyrus, frontal lobes, basal ganglia and hippocampus, with more significant signals on the left side. Afterwards, bilateral ARN occurred and resulted in his blindness. PRV DNA was detected from the aqueous humor. By literature review, a total of 20 cases (including this case) were analyzed. Most patients (95%, 19/20) had the history of direct contact with swine. The median incubation period was 7 days. The infection normally caused encephalitis (95%, 19/20), some cases with endophthalmitis (60%, 12/20). Based on the neuroimaging of the 19 patients, the lesions in neuroimaging were mainly in limbic system, especially in insular (17/19) and temporal lobes (17/19). The basal ganglia was often involved (9/19).The PRV-DNA was detected by NGS in CSF or intraocular fluid. Antiviral drugs and adjuvant treatment, including immunoglobulin and/or corticoid therapy, were effective to only few cases. Most patients (90%, 18/20) had the sequelae of severe impairment of daily living (modified Rankin Scale scores≥3).Conclusions:The cardinal clinical characteristics of human PRV infection are progressive panencephalitis and endophthalmitis, with an unfavorable outcome. The history of exposure to sick swine and typical neuroimaging suggest PRV infection. NGS of CSF and/or intraocular fluid is the dependable diagnostic method.
ABSTRACT
Several anti-neural antibodies are associated with neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) including anti-neuronal antibodies and anti-glial cell antibodies. The anti-neuronal antibodies has two types: anti-neuronal surface protein antibodies represented by anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibodies, and anti-neuronal intracellular protein antibodies. In this paper, we review and classify the anti-neural antibodies related to NPSLE.
ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the clinical and paraclinical features of Chinese patients with anti- LGI1 encephalitis. Methods Patients with memory deficits, psychiatric symptoms, seizures or altered level of consciousness, suspicious of encephalitis, at presentation to Peking Union Medical College Hospital were recruited between July 2013 and January 2018, and tested for anti-LGI1 antibodies in their serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) samples. Patients with anti-LGI1 antibodies were enrolled. The demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory examination results, neuroimaging features, immunotherapy, follow-up practices and outcomes for included patients were registered and analyzed. Results The study enrolled 120 patients, of whom 66.7% were male. The median age was 61 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 49-66 years). Seizures(65.0%) were the most common initial symptoms. Most patients developed seizures (95.0%), including faciobrachial dystonic seizures (54.2%), memory deficits (92.5%), and psychiatric symptoms (69.1%). Brain MRI and 18F-FDG PET / CT showed that the lesions were mainly located in unilateral or bilateral medial temporal lobes, and (or) basal ganglia. Of the patients, 95.0% received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) or corticosteroids, 47.5% received mycophenolate mofetil as long-term immunotherapy, and no one received second-line immunotherapy. The median follow-up was 34.2 months(IQR: 22.0-45.6 months). 91.2% had a good outcome (modified Rankin Scale score≤2 points). Residual mild memory deficits were present in 47.8% of the patients. Nine deaths were documented. Relapses occurred in 24.8% of the patients in the first year. In total, 24 (20%)cases were young patients(onset age ≤45 years).There were fewer males among the younger patients(37.5% vs. 74.0%, P < 0.01). Besides, there were fewer younger patients with psychiatric symptoms(50.0% vs. 74.0%, P=0.02), hyponatremia(33.3% vs. 68.8%, P < 0.01), and abnormalities on brain 18F-FDG PET/CT(20.8% vs. 47.9%, P=0.02). The relapse-free survival rate was significantly higher in the young patients. Conclusions Elderly males were predominant in patients with anti-LGI1 encephalitis. Most patients developed symptoms of limbic encephalitis and/or FDBS during the disease course. Several patients were young adults and lacked typical symptoms. Neuroimaging features were consistent with the involvement of limbic system or basal ganglia. Patients with anti-LGI1 encephalitis respond well to immunotherapy, irrespective of the age.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To analyze and summarize the clinical characteristics of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis patients with cerebellar ataxia.Methods:The clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, treatment and prognosis of anti-NMDAR encephalitis patients with cerebellar ataxia diagnosed and treated in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2011 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:About 4.3% (15 cases) of a total of 347 anti-NMDAR encephalitis patients were complicated with cerebellar ataxia, of which one patient had ovarian teratoma. There were seven male cases and eight female cases, with a median age of 28 years. The average duration from the onset of encephalitis to the onset of cerebellar symptoms was 30.8 days.The average modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score was 3.73. In the acute phase, the median cerebrospinal fluid leukocyte count was 28×10 6/L. All patients received first-line immunotherapy, of which one case additionally received second-line immunotherapy with rituximab and nine patients received long-term immunotherapy with mycophenolate mofetil. The follow-up time ranged from seven to 66 months. The average mRS score of the last time was 2.73, and only six patients (6/15) had good prognosis (mRS score≤2). Conclusions:Patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis and cerebellar ataxia are rare, and have relatively poor prognosis in terms of neurological function. Symptoms of cerebellar ataxia in anti-NMDAR encephalitis patients should be recognized in time, and standardized immunotherapy regimens and long-term immunotherapy should be adopted to improve the prognosis.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To identify anti-dipeptidyl-peptidase-like protein 6 (DPPX) antibody in patients with encephalitis of unknown etiology and describe the clinical features of anti-DPPX antibody-associated encephalitis in Chinese patients.Methods:For patients registered in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital Encephalitis and Paraneoplastic Syndrome Registration Project from 2016 to 2019 with negative findings in autoimmune encephalitis routine antibody profile and paraneoplastic antibody profile, but with positive tissue-based assay (TBA) results, further tests for rare antibodies, including cell-based assay (CBA) of anti-DPPX antibody, were performed. Patients positive for anti-DPPX antibody were enrolled and the clinical data were collected.Results:Two patients with anti-DPPX antibody-associated encephalitis were found from 2016 to 2019 among about 15 000 patients. Both were females, aged 46 and 75 years. One patient had diarrhea, cachexia, cognitive dysfunction, agitation, myoclonus, tremor, and seizures. The other had cognitive impairment, restlessness, memory loss, disorientation, and sleep disturbance. The second patient had medical history of systemic lupus erythematosus and secondary Sj?gren′s syndrome.Conclusions:TBA should be combined with CBA in identification of anti-DPPX antibody to confirm the diagnosis. Anti-DPPX antibody-associated encephalitis has clinical manifestations of encephalopathy with diarrhea and cachexia, and can coexist with systemic lupus erythematosus.
ABSTRACT
With the understanding of autoimmune encephalitis many novel types of autoimmune encephalitis and related antibodies have been identified. There are some cases of autoimmune encephalitis with autoantibody overlapping syndromes or phenotype overlapping syndromes, which bring challenges to diagnosis and treatment in practice. The relevant literature was reviewed and the clinical characteristics, pathological mechanism and treatment of overlapping syndromes associated with autoimmune encephalitis were summarized, in order to provide a reference for the management of autoimmune encephalitis with overlapping syndromes.
ABSTRACT
Antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) have been associated with several neurological syndromes, including stiff-person syndrome, cerebellar ataxia and epilepsy. This article critically reviews the main clinical characteristics and the evidence on the pathogenicity of GAD antibodies.
ABSTRACT
Cerebellar ataxia mediated by autoimmune mechanisms is a common cause of sporadic cerebellar ataxia. According to the presence of underlining malignancy, autoimmune cerebellar ataxia (ACA) can be divided into paraneoplastic ACA and non-paraneoplastic ACA. The typical manifestations of various types of ACA include gait disorder, limb and trunk ataxia, mild inflammatory response and specific oligoclonal bands in cerebrospinal fluid. Immunosuppressive therapy might be effective. Anti-neuronal antibodies are of great significance to the diagnosis of ACA, and the discovery of the new antibody profile has promoted a deeper understanding of ACA. This article reviews the clinical features and progress of diagnosis and treatment of ACA.
ABSTRACT
A case of limbic encephalitis with positive anti-zinc finger protein 4 (ZIC4) antibody and anti-Hu antibody was reported. A middle-aged female was admitted to hospital for two months because of memory loss and unstable walking. The main manifestations were cognitive decline, ataxia and sensory disturbance of both lower extremities. The main diagnosis was limbic encephalitis, complicated with subacute cerebellar degeneration and subacute sensory neuron disease, which was consistent with paraneoplastic nervous system syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging showed abnormal signals in bilateral temporal lobe and hippocampus, electromyography showed sensory nerve damage, blood and cerebrospinal fluid anti-ZIC4 antibody and Hu antibody were both positive, and no tumor was found. It is speculated that there may be potential tumors and need to be followed up and monitored. This rare case is reported to attract the attention of clinicians.
ABSTRACT
Objective To establish a test of autoantibody-panel for the diagnosis of autoimmune cerebellitis (AC) and determine the prevalence of AC in patients with cerebellar ataxia of unknown etiology.Methods Autoantibody screening tests with indirect immunofluorescence were performed in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples of 400 previously'idiopathic'Chinese patients with cerebral ataxia (inpatients and outpatients in Peking Union Medical College Hospital or referred from hospitals of Beijing Encephalitis Group from 2016 to 2018).Immunotherapy was given to autoantibody positive patients and the effectiveness of immunotherapy was assessed.Detailed AC autoantibodies panel included anti-glutamate decarboxylase 65 (GAD65) antibody,anti-Tr (delta notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor (DNER)) antibody,anti-zinc finger protein 4 (ZIC4) antibody,anti-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor 1 (ITPR1) antibody,anti-homer protein homolog 3 (Homer 3) antibody,anti-neurochondrin (NCDN) antibody,anti-carbonic anhydrase-related protein (CARP) antibody and anti-Purkinje cell antibody 2 (PCA2) antibody.Results Eight out of 400 (2％) ataxia patients were positive for this AC panel tests,of whom two were positive for anti-GAD65 antibody,two for anti-Tr antibody,one for anti-PCA2 antibody,one for anti-Homer 3 antibody and two were positive for serum anti-NCDN antibody.Autoantibodies against ZIC4,ITPR1 and CARP were not detected in this cohort.Two of the eight ataxia patients also presented with limbic encephalitis,and only one anti-GAD antibody patient was screened with underlying small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC).All the eight patients received immunotherapy and four experienced partial response.Conclusions Autoimmune cerebellitis is the cause of acquired cerebellar ataxia.Tests of autoantibodies associated with AC have diagnostic value for paraneoplastic and non-paraneoplastic cerebellar ataxia.Immunotherapy may yield partial response in patients with AC.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#To improve the understanding of rare anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) positive IgM monoclonal gammopathy related peripheral neuropathy (IgM-PN) .@*Methods@#Eleven cases of IgM paraproteinemia and anti-MAG antibody positive neuropathy diagnosed since 2014 in Peking Medical Union College Hospital were summarized. The medical records including clinical manifestation, lab results, treatment and prognosis were analyzed.@*Results@#Among the 11 patients (8 male and 3 female) , the median onset age is 63 years old (range from 52 to 77 years old) . The peripheral neuropathy of 9 patients were characterized by distal onset of numbness, 6 patients suffered from muscle weakness. The nerve conduction velocity study indicated that all 11 patients had demyelinating peripheral nerve damage, which was sensory predominant and more severe in lower limbs, 6 of them had secondary axonal damage. Monoclonal IgM gammopathy was identified in all 11 patients, among which 6 were IgM κ, 2 IgG κ and IgM κ bi-clonal, 3 IgM λ. Three patients were diagnosed with Waldenström’s macroglobulinaemia. The anti-MAG-IgM antibody was positive in all 11 cases. After diagnosis, 9 patients received combination chemotherapy including rituximab or rituximab treatment alone. The monoclonal IgM level declined significantly in 7 patients. The neuropathy was stable or improved.@*Conclusions@#Anti-MAG antibody positive IgM-PN is a rare M protein related disease. In peripheral neuropathy with undetermined etiology, we suggest to screen M protein and anti-MAG antibody. Chemotherapy including rituximab or rituximab alone is recommended as first-line therapy.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#To analyze the prevalence trend of Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) infection in the Department of Burns of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine (hereinafter referred to as the author′s department) from 2015 to 2017, and to screen out the independent risk factors for sepsis in burn patients with KP infection.@*Methods@#The clinical and bacteriological data of burn patients with KP infection from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017 were collected from the author′s department. The variation trend in infection rates of KP and carbapenems-resistant KP (CRKP) during the three years were statistically analyzed, and the data were processed with chi-square test. Clinical data were processed with binary logistic regression analysis to screen out the independent risk factors for sepsis in burn patients with KP infection.@*Results@#(1) From 2015 to 2017, 91 patients (50 males and 41 females, aged 15-90 years) with KP infection were diagnosed in the author′s department, of which 65 cases were CRKP positive, and 26 cases were carbapenems-sensitive KP positive. The KP infection rates of patients in 2015, 2016, and 2017 were 5.79% (35/605), 4.08% (23/564), and 5.54% (33/596), respectively. The CRKP infection rates of patients in 2015, 2016, and 2017 were 3.31% (20/605), 3.37% (19/564), and 4.36% (26/596), respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in KP infection rate and CRKP infection rate of patients among the three years (χ2=2.007, 1.175, P>0.05). (2) Total burn area and CRKP infection were independent risk factors for sepsis in burn patients with KP infection (odds ratios=1.03, 5.88, 95% confidence intervals=1.01-1.05, 1.08-31.94, P<0.05).@*Conclusions@#From 2015 to 2017, the infection rates of KP and CRKP in the author′s department did not increase obviously, but the proportion of CRKP infection was high. CRKP infection is one of the independent risk factors for sepsis in burn patients with KP infection. Strengthening the prevention and treatment of CRKP infection may have certain value in decreasing the incidence of burn sepsis.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#To describe the clinical manifestations of central nerve system inflammatory demyelinating disease associated with anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody (MOG-IDD) in children, and to explore the clinical characteristics of the children.@*Methods@#The clinical and laboratory characteristics of the patients diagnosed in Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University, from October 2016 to August 2018 were described, and the clinical data of the patients with unipolar and recurrent diseases were compared.@*Results@#A total of 50 patients were included, among whom the ratio of male to female was 24:26, and the average age of onset was (6.7±3.1) years old (0.4-12.6 years old). There was no significant difference in the age of onset between boys and girls(t=0.712, P=0.480). The main symptoms included fever (31/50 cases), encephalopathy (26/50 cases) and optic neuritis (22/50 cases), etc.In the last follow-up, 26 patients (52.0%) had a monophasic course and 24 patients (48.0%) had a recurrent course.There were age differences in encephalopathy and ataxia in the first episode of [(5.7±2.8) years old vs.(8.1±3.0) years old, (5.0±2.5) years old vs. (7.7±3.0) years old](t=2.746, P=0.009; t=2.837, P=0.007). The average number of recurrence was (2.1±1.4) times (1-7 times), in which 17 cases (70.8%) of recurrence presented within 12 months and 20 cases (83.3%) of recurrence presented within 24 months after onset.Convulsion incidences of recurrent cases were 10 cases and 13 cases respectively in the first episode and recurrent courses, which were significantly higher than those of monophasic cases (4 cases, 4 cases)(χ2=7.912, P=0.005; χ2=8.365, P=0.004). All patients were sensitive to first-line immunotherapy.Seven patients with recu-rrence were treated with mycophenolatemofetil, and 17 patients with repeated first-line therapy.In the last follow-up, all patients were in remission and 2 patients had mild neurological dysfunction.@*Conclusions@#MOG-IDD can occur in childhood.Encephalopathy and optic neuritis are the most common symptoms.Encephalopathy and ataxia are more common in young children.Convulsions may indicate the course of recurrence.
ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics and screen pathogens and prognosis of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor(NMDAR)encephalitis in children and so as to improve the diagnosis and treatment of anti-NMDAR encephalitis in children.Methods A retrospective and follow-up analysis of 38 cases of pediatric anti-NMDAR encephalitis was performed,who were admitted to the West China Second University Hospital,Sichuan University from May 2012 to June 2016,and their clinical features,associated pathogen screening,treatment and progno-sis were reviewed.Results Those 38 cases included 14 males and 24 females.The age ranged from 1 year and 10 months to 17 years and 6 months.The most common symptoms were psychiatric symptoms(33 cases),and dyskinesias and movement disorders(33 cases),speech disturbances(31 cases).Twenty-four cases(63.2%)received positive pathogenic screening and only one case had right ovarian mature cystic teratoma.Among them,11 cases had positive mycoplasma pneumonia immunoglobulin M(IgM)antibodies,10 cases had positive virus screening,and 1 case had toxoplasma gondii IgM antibodies positive,and 2 cases had mix infection.Symptoms of one case were relieved after anti-toxoplasma treatment without immunosuppression treatment,and another case had partial symptom relief after mycoplas-ma pneumonia treatment.Thirty-seven cases received immunosuppressant therapy(4 cases were treated with glucocor-ticoid,12 cases were treated with glucocorticoid combined with immune globulin,2 cases were treated with glucocorti-coid combined with plasma exchange,still 19 cases were treated with glucocorticoid combined with immune globulin and plasma exchange).After follow-up for median 12 months,3 cases relapsed,29 cases were fully recovered,5 cases had mild language impairment,2 cases had mild memory impairment,and 2 cases had involuntary movement.Conclusions The most common symptoms of the patients were psychiatric symptoms,dyskinesias and movement disorders,and speech disturbances.Children with anti-NMDAR encephalitis had a low incidence of tumors,while various pathogen infections including mycoplasma pneumonia,virus and toxoplasma gondii,which may trigger abnormal immune response of anti-NMDAR encephalitis.Pathogen screening needs to be done for pediatric anti-NMDAR encephalitis and anti-patho-genic treatment may be helpful for disease remission.
ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the clinical and histology characteristics of a patient with frontal lobe epilepsy diagnosed with mild malformation of cortical development with oligodendroglial hyperplasia, and to recognize the new neuropathological entity. Methods Clinical history, seizure types, neuroimaging, electroencephalography as well as macroscope, histology and immunohistochemistry characteristics were collected from a frontal lobe epilepsy patient and were compared with cases from literature. Results It was a female patient aged 16 years with 12 years history of epilepsy. The seizures manifested as episodes of conscious loss with automatism including grope and voice lasting for seconds. About 10 episodes a day were found and sometimes with secondary generalized tonic-clonic seizures. MRI showed blurring of grey-white matter interface in left orbital frontal cortex. Video-encephalography revealed left frontal lobe origin of seizures. So left prefrontal lobe was removed. Histology showed almost normal cortex neuropil and neurons. Blurring of grey-white interface in some area with patches of proliferation of oligodendrocytes in the corresponding sub-cortical white matter was found. The density of oligodendrocytes was significantly higher in sub-cortical than in deep white matter both shown in HE and Oligo-2 staining. Obvious oligodendrocytes increase and satellite phenomenon in deep cortical layer as well as increased ectopic neurons in sub-cortical white matter were found in the lesion. In proliferation area, there were some nuclei stained with Ki-67, but not as high as tumor. Subsequent follow up for two years proved the operation efficacy and benign prognosis. Conclusions There are special and undiscovered histopathological entities in epilepsy etiology. Although known as grey matter disease, white matter pathology plays an important role in epilepsy pathophysiology which needs further research.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG)-associated peripheral neuropathy, as well as its antibody detection methods, treatment and prognosis. Methods Six cases of IgM paraproteinemia and anti-MAG antibody-associated peripheral neuropathy were summarized. All of the patients came from Peking Union Medical College Hospital and Qilu Hospital since April 2014 to February 2018. The clinical features, electrophysiological characteristics, and auxiliary examinations including anti-MAG antibody results were analyzed, and the treatment and prognosis were followed. Results Of the six patients, five were male and one was female. The age of onset was 50-77 years and the duration was three months to six years. All the six cases suffered from numbness of distal limbs and gradually progressed to the proximal limbs, of which three cases had muscle weakness. Walking instability occurred in five cases. One patient had electricity-like pain in the lower extremities. Reflexes in the four limbs decreased in five cases, and gloves and socks-like deep sensation decreased in six cases. Five patients underwent lumbar puncture and the cerebral spinal fluid protein ranged from 0.75 to 1.33 g/L. Serum monoclonal proteins were found in six patients, of which four were IgM kappa and two were IgG kappa and IgM kappa biclonal. Four cases were diagnosed with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and two cases were diagnosed with Waldenstr?m's macroglobulinaemia. Abnormal electromyography was detected in all the six cases, suggesting demyelinating peripheral nerve damage with secondary axonal damage, which was sensory predominant and more severe in lower limbs than upper limbs. In all the six cases, anti-MAG-IgM antibodies were all positive by indirect immunofluorescence assay based on transfected cells and peripheral nerve tissues. After the diagnosis, three patients underwent RCD (rituxima + dexamethasone + cyclophosphamide) chemotherapy. One patient improved (the modified Rankin scale (mRS) score was 3 before treatment and 2 three years after treatment), one patient was stable, and one patient was still in follow-up. One patient was treated with rituxima, and the condition improved (the mRS score was 3 before treatment and 1 one year after treatment). Conclusions MAG-associated peripheral neuropathy can present a slow progressed distal symmetric sensomotor peripheral neuropathy with predominant sensory symptoms. Electromyography shows demyelinating change. Monoclonal protein is usually IgM kappa. MAG-IgM antibodies detection by indirect immunofluorescence assay based on transfected cells and peripheral nerve tissues can support the diagnosis. RCD chemotherapy may be effective.
ABSTRACT
Objective To report the clinical and paraclinical features of a case series with antiIgLON5 antibody related encephalopathy.Methods One hundred and fifty patients with sleep disorders and subacute or chronic onset of movement disorders,parkinsonism or bulbar palsy were included.The serum and cerebrospinal fluid specimens of these patients were screened for anti-IgLON5 antibody.The clinical and paraclinical features of patients with seropositive anti-IgLON5 antibody were summarized.Results Three patients with seropositive anti-IgLON5 antibody were identified,with one female and two males.The onset age ranged from 61 to 64 years.Case 1 presented with symptoms of involuntary movement,unsteady walk and insomnia;case 2 with symptoms of insomnia,sleep behavioral disorder,psychiatric behavior and dysphagia;case 3 with symptoms of insomnia,sleep behavioral disorder,dysarthria,and tremor.When examined by polysomnography,obstructive sleep apnea syndrome was revealed in cases 1 and 2,serious insomnia was found in cases 2 and 3,and sleep behavioral disorder was revealed in case 2.All three patients were positive for HLA-DQB1 * 0501,and cases 2 and 3 were positive for HLA-DRB1 * 1001.All three patients received immunotherapy and only one patient (case 1) responded well to immunotherapy with intravenous immunoglobulin,steroids and mycophenolate mofetil.Conclusions Anti-IgLON5-related encephalopathy is a rare disease with distinct clinical features of both autoimmune disorders and neurodegeneration disorders.These patients may benefit from immunotherapy.
ABSTRACT
Objective To identify the spectrum of sleep disorders in the patients diagnosed with limbic encephalitis associated with anti leucine rich glioma inactivated protein 1 (LGI1) antibody.Methods Thirteen patients were identified with limbic encephalitis associated with LGI1 antibody in the Department of Neurology,Peking Union Medical College Hospital between December 2012 and August 2017.The characters of the 13 cases were studied from several aspects such as clinical presentation,imaging,polysomnography,cerebrospinal fluid and serum.Results Serum test and/or cerebrospinal fluid test showed LGI1 antibody positive in all the 13 patients.Clinical presentation included:cognitive impairment,seizures,neuropsychiatric features.Sleep disorders presented in all patients,including insomnia,dream enactment behaviors,hypersomnia,involuntary movement.Polysomnogram in the 13 patients revealed that sleep efficiency decreased in 10 patients (＜ 80％),N3 sleep decreased in 10 patients,rapid eye movement sleep decreased in 13 patients;period limb movement disorder was identified in seven patients,period limb movement index was 15.6-224.4/h,four of the seven patients also had frequent irregular motor activity;six patients had frequent faciobrachial dystonic seizures (20-83 times throughout the night);rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) was diagnosed in three patients.Sleep disorder resolved almost completely in 10 of 13 patients who received immunotherapy.Conclusions Sleep disorders are cardinal manifestations of limbic encephalitis associated with LGI1 antibody,including insomnia,RBD,hypersomnia,involuntary movement.They may respond favorably to immunotherapy.
ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in antileucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1 (LGI1) encephalitis by analyzing the clinical and immunologic data of patients treated with MMF in this prospective cohort of anti-LGI1 encephalitis.Methods Patients treated with MMF for more than one year in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were included in this study.MMF was given at a dosage of 1.5-3.0 g/d in the induction period (two to four months) and 0.75-2.00 g/d in the maintenance period.All the patients were followed up regularly.Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score evaluation,serum IgG and peripheral CD19-positive B cells,CD4-positive T cells and CD8-positive T cells testing were performed every two months.Results Fifteen patients were included in this study who received first-line immunotherapy combined with MMF.No other second-line therapy including rituximab was used.Thirteen patients responded well to MMF combined with first-line immunotherapy (a decrease in mRS score of more than 1).All 15 patients had a good outcome (i.e.,a mRS score of 0-2),including nine patients without residual symptoms (a mRS score of 0).After 12 months of MMF treatment,CD19-positive B cells were significantly decreased (median 320 (227,628) × 106/L vs 152 (105,223) × 106/L;Z=-2.028,P=0.043),while serum IgG (9.07 (6.70,11.32) g/L vs 8.35 (6.63,10.69) g/L,P=0.144)),CD4-positive T cells (1 136 (736,1 432) × 106/L vs 1 055 (802,1 072) × 106/L,P =0.866) and CD8-positive T cells (627 (413,784) × 106/L vs 568 (393,743) × 106/L,P =0.735) were not significantly changed.Three patients relapsed and were treated with additional cycle of first-line immunotherapy and increased dosage of MMF (induction dosage) resulting in remission.CD19-positive B cells were tested to be increased during the patients' relapse.No serious adverse event was noted in all these patients.Conclusions MMF is safe and effective as a long-term immunotherapy in patients with anti-LGI1 encephalitis.MMF can be used as an add-on therapy to first-line immunotherapy for autoimmune encephalitis.CD19-positive B cell count should be monitored and used as a parameter to individualize dosage of MMF.