Multiple Autoantibodies and Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and autoantibodies. METHODS: Blood samples of 108 NMOSD patients and 38 controls were collected from January 2012 to August 2014. Immunological parameters, including anti-aquaporin 4, antinuclear, anti-ribonucleoprotein, anti-SM, anti-SSA/Ro, anti-SSB/La and anti-ribosomal P-protein autoantibodies were examined. RESULTS: The NMOSD group exhibited a significantly higher percentage of anti-aquaporin 4 antibodies compared with the control group (76.9 vs. 0.0%, p = 0). The positive rates for antinuclear and anti-SSA antibodies in the NMOSD group were also higher than in the control group (35.2 vs. 11.8%, p = 0.001; 13.0 vs. 0.0%, p = 0.044). In total, 36.1% of the patients in the NMOSD group were seropositive for autoantibodies but only 8.3% were diagnosed with definite systemic autoimmune disorders. CONCLUSIONS: NMOSD is closely associated with elevated autoantibodies, particularly antinuclear and anti-SSA/Ro antibodies. NMOSD rarely coexists with organ-specific autoimmune diseases.