Vagus nerve dysfunction in the post-COVID-19 condition: a pilot cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: The post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) is a disabling syndrome affecting at least 5%-10% of subjects who survive COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 mediated vagus nerve dysfunction could explain some PCC symptoms, such as dysphonia, dysphagia, dyspnea, dizziness, tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension, gastrointestinal disturbances, or neurocognitive complaints. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional pilot study in subjects with PCC with symptoms suggesting vagus nerve dysfunction (n = 30) and compared them with subjects fully recovered from acute COVID-19 (n = 14) and with individuals never infected (n = 16). We evaluated the structure and function of the vagus nerve and respiratory muscles. RESULTS: Participants were mostly women (24 of 30, 80%), and the median age was 44 years (interquartile range [IQR] 35-51 years). Their most prevalent symptoms were cognitive dysfunction 25 of 30 (83%), dyspnea 24 of 30 (80%), and tachycardia 24 of 30 (80%). Compared with COVID-19-recovered and uninfected controls, respectively, subjects with PCC were more likely to show thickening and hyperechogenic vagus nerve in neck ultrasounds (cross-sectional area [CSA] [mean ± standard deviation]: 2.4 ± 0.97mm2 vs. 2 ± 0.52mm2 vs. 1.9 ± 0.73 mm2; p 0.08), reduced esophageal-gastric-intestinal peristalsis (34% vs. 0% vs. 21%; p 0.02), gastroesophageal reflux (34% vs. 19% vs. 7%; p 0.13), and hiatal hernia (25% vs. 0% vs. 7%; p 0.05). Subjects with PCC showed flattening hemidiaphragms (47% vs. 6% vs. 14%; p 0.007), and reductions in maximum inspiratory pressure (62% vs. 6% vs. 17%; p ≤ 0.001), indicating respiratory muscle weakness. The latter findings suggest additional involvement of the phrenic nerve. DISCUSSION: Vagus and phrenic nerve dysfunction contribute to the complex and multifactorial pathophysiology of PCC.

An Integrative Analysis of DNA Methylation Pattern in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 Samples Reveals a Distinct DNA Methylation Profile between Tissues and a Novel Muscle-Associated Epigenetic Dysregulation.

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a progressive, non-treatable, multi-systemic disorder. To investigate the contribution of epigenetics to the complexity of DM1, we compared DNA methylation profiles of four annotated CpG islands (CpGis) in the DMPK locus and neighbouring genes, in distinct DM1 tissues and derived cells, representing six DM1 subtypes, by bisulphite sequencing. In blood, we found no differences in CpGi 74, 43 and 36 in DNA methylation profile. In contrast, a CTCF1 DNA methylation gradient was found with 100% methylation in congenital cases, 50% in childhood cases and 13% in juvenile cases. CTCF1 methylation correlated to disease severity and CTG expansion size. Notably, 50% of CTCF1 methylated cases showed methylation in the CTCF2 regions. Additionally, methylation was associated with maternal transmission. Interestingly, the evaluation of seven families showed that unmethylated mothers passed on an expansion of the CTG repeat, whereas the methylated mothers transmitted a contraction. The analysis of patient-derived cells showed that DNA methylation profiles were highly preserved, validating their use as faithful DM1 cellular models. Importantly, the comparison of DNA methylation levels of distinct DM1 tissues revealed a novel muscle-specific epigenetic signature with methylation of the CTCF1 region accompanied by demethylation of CpGi 43, a region containing an alternative DMPK promoter, which may decrease the canonical promoter activity. Altogether, our results showed a distinct DNA methylation profile across DM1 tissues and uncovered a novel and dual epigenetic signature in DM1 muscle samples, providing novel insights into the epigenetic changes associated with DM1.

New spinocerebellar ataxia subtype caused by SAMD9L mutation triggering mitochondrial dysregulation (SCA49).

Spinocerebellar ataxias consist of a highly heterogeneous group of inherited movement disorders clinically characterized by progressive cerebellar ataxia variably associated with additional distinctive clinical signs. The genetic heterogeneity is evidenced by the myriad of associated genes and underlying genetic defects identified. In this study, we describe a new spinocerebellar ataxia subtype in nine members of a Spanish five-generation family from Menorca with affected individuals variably presenting with ataxia, nystagmus, dysarthria, polyneuropathy, pyramidal signs, cerebellar atrophy and distinctive cerebral demyelination. Affected individuals presented with horizontal and vertical gaze-evoked nystagmus and hyperreflexia as initial clinical signs, and a variable age of onset ranging from 12 to 60 years. Neurophysiological studies showed moderate axonal sensory polyneuropathy with altered sympathetic skin response predominantly in the lower limbs. We identified the c.1877C > T (p.Ser626Leu) pathogenic variant within the SAMD9L gene as the disease causative genetic defect with a significant log-odds score (Z max = 3.43; θ = 0.00; P < 3.53 × 10-5). We demonstrate the mitochondrial location of human SAMD9L protein, and its decreased levels in patients' fibroblasts in addition to mitochondrial perturbations. Furthermore, mutant SAMD9L in zebrafish impaired mobility and vestibular/sensory functions. This study describes a novel spinocerebellar ataxia subtype caused by SAMD9L mutation, SCA49, which triggers mitochondrial alterations pointing to a role of SAMD9L in neurological motor and sensory functions.

Clinical and Laboratory Features in Anti-NF155 Autoimmune Nodopathy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical and laboratory features of antineurofascin-155 (NF155)-positive autoimmune nodopathy (AN). METHODS: Patients with anti-NF155 antibodies detected on routine immunologic testing were included. Clinical characteristics, treatment response, and functional scales (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] and Inflammatory Rasch-built Overall Disability Scale [I-RODS]) were retrospectively collected at baseline and at the follow-up. Autoantibody and neurofilament light (NfL) chain levels were analyzed at baseline and at the follow-up. RESULTS: Forty NF155+ patients with AN were included. Mean age at onset was 42.4 years. Patients presented with a progressive (75%), sensory motor (87.5%), and symmetric distal-predominant weakness in upper (97.2%) and lower extremities (94.5%), with tremor and ataxia (75%). Patients received a median of 3 (2-4) different treatments in 46 months of median follow-up. Response to IV immunoglobulin (86.8%) or steroids (72.2%) was poor in most patients, whereas 77.3% responded to rituximab. HLA-DRB1*15 was detected in 91.3% of patients. IgG4 anti-NF155 antibodies were predominant in all patients; anti-NF155 titers correlated with mRS within the same patient (r = 0.41, p = 0.004). Serum NfL (sNfL) levels were higher in anti-NF155+ AN than in healthy controls (36.47 vs 7.56 pg/mL, p < 0.001) and correlated with anti-NF155 titers (r = 0.43, p = 0.001), with I-RODS at baseline (r = -0.88, p < 0.001) and with maximum I-RODS achieved (r = -0.58, p = 0.01). Anti-NF155 titers and sNfL levels decreased in all rituximab-treated patients. DISCUSSION: Anti-NF155 AN presents a distinct clinical profile and good response to rituximab. Autoantibody titers and sNfL are useful to monitor disease status in these patients. The use of untagged-NF155 plasmids minimizes the detection of false anti-NF155+ cases. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class IV evidence that anti-NF155 antibodies associate with a specific phenotype and response to rituximab.

Characterization of RAN Translation and Antisense Transcription in Primary Cell Cultures of Patients with Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1.

Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a muscular dystrophy with a multi-systemic nature. It was one of the first diseases in which repeat associated non-ATG (RAN) translation was described in 2011, but has not been further explored since. In order to enhance our knowledge of RAN translation in DM1, we decided to study the presence of DM1 antisense (DM1-AS) transcripts (the origin of the polyglutamine (polyGln) RAN protein) using RT-PCR and FISH, and that of RAN translation via immunoblotting and immunofluorescence in distinct DM1 primary cell cultures, e.g., myoblasts, skin fibroblasts and lymphoblastoids, from ten patients. DM1-AS transcripts were found in all DM1 cells, with a lower expression in patients compared to controls. Antisense RNA foci were found in the nuclei and cytoplasm of a subset of DM1 cells. The polyGln RAN protein was undetectable in all three cell types with both approaches. Immunoblots revealed a 42 kD polyGln containing protein, which was most likely the TATA-box-binding protein. Immunofluorescence revealed a cytoplasmic aggregate, which co-localized with the Golgi apparatus. Taken together, DM1-AS transcript levels were lower in patients compared to controls and a small portion of the transcripts included the expanded repeat. However, RAN translation was not present in patient-derived DM1 cells, or was in undetectable quantities for the available methods.

Current Incidence and Risk Factors of Fecal Incontinence After Acute Stroke Affecting Functionally Independent People.

Background: Previously published retrospective series show a high prevalence of fecal incontinence (FI) in stroke patients. We aimed to analyze in a prospective series the current incidence of FI in acute stroke in functionally independent patients and its evolution over time and the patient characteristics associated with the appearance of FI in acute stroke. Methods: We included consecutive patients with acute stroke admitted in our stroke unit who fulfilled the following inclusion criteria: a first episode of stroke, aged >18 years, with no previous functional dependency [modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≤ 2] and without previous known FI. FI was assessed by a multidisciplinary trained team using dedicated questionnaires at 72 ± 24 h (acute phase) and at 90 ± 15 days (chronic phase). Demographic, medical history, clinical and stroke features, mortality, and mRS at 7 days were collected. Results: Three hundred fifty-nine (48.3%) of 749 patients (mean age 65.9 ± 10, 64% male, 84.1% ischemic) fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were prospectively included during a 20-month period. FI was identified in 23 patients (6.4%) at 72 ± 24 h and in 7 (1.9%) at 90 days ± 15 days after stroke onset. FI was more frequent in hemorrhagic strokes (18 vs. 5%, p 0.007) and in more severe strokes [median National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) 18 (14-22) vs. 5 (3-13), p < 0.0001]. No differences were found regarding age, sex, vascular risk factors, or other comorbidities, or affected hemisphere. Patients with NIHSS ≥12 (AUC 0.81, 95% CI 0.71 to 0.89) had a 17-fold increase for the risk of FI (OR 16.9, IC 95% 4.7-60.1) adjusted for covariates. Conclusions: At present, the incidence of FI in acute stroke patients without previous functional dependency is lower than expected, with an association of a more severe and hemorrhagic stroke. Due to its impact on the quality of life, it is necessary to deepen the knowledge of the underlying mechanisms to address therapeutic strategies.

The sternohyoid muscle flap for new dynamic facial reanimation technique: Anatomical study and clinical results.

BACKGROUND: Long-term facial nerve palsy has a highly negative impact on patients' quality of life. In 2016, Alam reported one case of facial reanimation with the sternohyoid muscle after publishing a preclinical study in 2013. Despite the potentially ideal characteristics of this muscle for reanimation of facial palsy, this technique is still not widely used. The objective of our description of cases was to present the clinical results obtained with the surgical procedure and the study on cadavers to confirm the anatomical findings. METHODS: This work describes the anatomical study of the vascular and nervous pedicle of the sternohyoid muscle compared with clinical results from a series of patients with long-term facial paralysis who underwent facial reanimation between June 2016 and September 2019, through the insertion of the sternohyoid muscle into the masseteric nerve. RESULTS: The anatomical study was conducted in eight human hemi-necks. In five cases (62%), the vascular pedicle was provided by the superior thyroid artery, and the entrance of the ansa cervicalis to the muscle was constant 1.8 cm from the distal insertion. This series included ten patients who underwent the surgery technique of facial reanimation using the sternohyoid muscle, with a 90% (n = 9) of reinnervation; 100% (n = 10) of flaps were viable, and none of the patients showed complications in the donor area. CONCLUSIONS: The sternohyoid muscle showed itself as a reliable muscle as a free flap in facial reanimation, and alternative to the gracilis flap. The surgical technique was safe, without any complications, with excellent excursion, recovery, and aesthetic results.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Prognosis of myasthenia gravis (MG) in patients with thymoma is not well established. Moreover, it is not clear whether thymoma recurrence or unresectable lesions entail a worse prognosis of MG. METHODS: This multicenter study was based on data from a Spanish neurologist-driven MG registry. All patients were aged >18 years at onset and had anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies. We compared the clinical data of thymomatous and nonthymomatous patients. Prognosis of patients with recurrent or nonresectable thymomas was assessed. RESULTS: We included 964 patients from 15 hospitals; 148 (15.4%) had thymoma-associated MG. Median follow-up time was 4.6 years. At onset, thymoma-associated MG patients were younger (52.0 vs. 60.4 years, p < 0.001), had more generalized symptoms (odds ratio [OR]: 3.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.95-4.68, p < 0.001) and more severe clinical forms according to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) scale (OR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.15-2.21, p = 0.005). Disease severity based on MGFA postintervention status (MGFA-PIS) was higher in thymomatous patients at 1 year, 5 years, and the end of follow-up. Treatment refractoriness and mortality were also higher (OR: 2.28, 95% CI: 1.43-3.63, p = 0.001; hazard ratio: 2.46, 95% CI: 1.47-4.14, p = 0.001). Myasthenic symptoms worsened in 13 of 27 patients with recurrences, but differences in long-term severity were not significant. Fifteen thymomatous patients had nonresectable thymomas with worse MGFA-PIS and higher mortality at the end of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Thymoma-associated MG patients had more severe myasthenic symptoms and worse prognosis. Thymoma recurrence was frequently associated with transient worsening of MG, but long-term prognosis did not differ from nonrecurrent thymoma. Patients with nonresectable thymoma tended to present severe forms of MG.

A New Methodology for Intraoperative Monitoring of the Functional Integrity of the Phrenic Nerve During Cardiothoracic Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: The phrenic nerve could be easily injured during cardiothoracic surgeries because of its anatomical relationships. The aim of this study is to describe a new, feasible, and reproducible methodology to achieve a continuous intraoperative neuromonitoring of the phrenic nerve. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent open-chest surgery were included. The recording active electrode was placed 5 cm superior to the tip of the xiphoid process, and a hook wire inserted at the motor point of the ipsilateral hemidiaphragm was used as the reference electrode. RESULTS: We studied 45 patients (92% men, mean age 67 years). Mean height and weight were 167 ± 6.9 cm and 75.6 ± 12.3 kg, respectively. A reproducible compound motor action potential was recorded in 38 (85%) subjects. The mean latency and amplitude values were 9.68 ± 2.40 ms and 1.36 ± 3.83 mV, respectively. No intraoperative events were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: We reported a new methodology which allows the assessment of phrenic nerve functional integrity during surgical procedures.

The Biomarker Potential of miRNAs in Myotonic Dystrophy Type I.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are mostly known for their gene regulation properties, but they also play an important role in intercellular signaling. This means that they can be found in bodily fluids, giving them excellent biomarker potential. Myotonic Dystrophy type I (DM1) is the most frequent autosomal dominant muscle dystrophy in adults, with an estimated prevalence of 1:8000. DM1 symptoms include muscle weakness, myotonia, respiratory failure, cardiac conduction defects, cataracts, and endocrine disturbances. Patients display heterogeneity in both age of onset and disease manifestation. No treatment or cure currently exists for DM1, which shows the necessity for a biomarker that can predict disease progression, providing the opportunity to implement preventative measures before symptoms arise. In the past two decades, extensive research has been conducted in the miRNA expression profiles of DM1 patients and their biomarker potential. Here we review the current state of the field with a tissue-specific focus, given the multi-systemic nature of DM1 and the intracellular signaling role of miRNAs.

Preliminary Findings on CTG Expansion Determination in Different Tissues from Patients with Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1.

Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is characterized by a high genetic and clinical variability. Determination of the genetic variability in DM1 might help to determine whether there is an association between CTG (Cytosine-Thymine-Guanine) expansion and the clinical manifestations of this condition. We studied the variability of the CTG expansion (progenitor, mode, and longest allele, respectively, and genetic instability) in three tissues (blood, muscle, and tissue) from eight patients with DM1. We also studied the association of genetic data with the patients' clinical characteristics. Although genetic instability was confirmed in all the tissues that we studied, our results suggest that CTG expansion is larger in muscle and skin cells compared with peripheral blood leukocytes. While keeping in mind that more research is needed in larger cohorts, we have provided preliminary evidence suggesting that the estimated progenitor CTG size in muscle could be potentially used as an indicator of age of disease onset and muscle function impairment.

Three-dimensional imaging in myotonic dystrophy type 1: Linking molecular alterations with disease phenotype.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine whether 3D imaging reconstruction allows identifying molecular:clinical associations in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). METHODS: We obtained myoblasts from 6 patients with DM1 and 6 controls. We measured cytosine-thymine-guanine (CTG) expansion and detected RNA foci and muscleblind like 1 (MBNL1) through 3D reconstruction. We studied dystrophia myotonica protein kinase (DMPK) expression and splicing alterations of MBNL1, insulin receptor, and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase 1. RESULTS: Three-dimensional analysis showed that RNA foci (nuclear and/or cytoplasmic) were present in 45%-100% of DM1-derived myoblasts we studied (range: 0-6 foci per cell). RNA foci represented <0.6% of the total myoblast nuclear volume. CTG expansion size was associated with the number of RNA foci per myoblast (r = 0.876 [95% confidence interval 0.222-0.986]) as well as with the number of cytoplasmic RNA foci (r = 0.943 [0.559-0.994]). Although MBNL1 colocalized with RNA foci in all DM1 myoblast cell lines, colocalization only accounted for 1% of total MBNL1 expression, with the absence of DM1 alternative splicing patterns. The number of RNA foci was associated with DMPK expression (r = 0.967 [0.079-0.999]). On the other hand, the number of cytoplasmic RNA foci was correlated with the age at disease onset (r = -0.818 [-0.979 to 0.019]). CONCLUSIONS: CTG expansion size modulates RNA foci number in myoblasts derived from patients with DM1. MBNL1 sequestration plays only a minor role in the pathobiology of the disease in these cells. Higher number of cytoplasmic RNA foci is related to an early onset of the disease, a finding that should be corroborated in future studies.

The Need for Establishing a Universal CTG Sizing Method in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1.

The number of cytosine-thymine-guanine (CTG) repeats ('CTG expansion size') in the 3'untranslated region (UTR) region of the dystrophia myotonica-protein kinase (DMPK) gene is a hallmark of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), which has been related to age of disease onset and clinical severity. However, accurate determination of CTG expansion size is challenging due to its characteristic instability. We compared five different approaches (heat pulse extension polymerase chain reaction [PCR], long PCR-Southern blot [with three different primers sets-1, 2 and 3] and small pool [SP]-PCR) to estimate CTG expansion size in the progenitor allele as well as the most abundant CTG expansion size, in 15 patients with DM1. Our results indicated variability between the methods (although we found no overall differences between long PCR 1 and 2 and SP-PCR, respectively). While keeping in mind the limited sample size of our patient cohort, SP-PCR appeared as the most suitable technique, with an inverse significant correlation found between CTG expansion size of the progenitor allele, as determined by this method, and age of disease onset (r = -0.734, p = 0.016). Yet, in light of the variability of the results obtained with the different methods, we propose that an international agreement is needed to determine which is the most suitable method for assessing CTG expansion size in DM1.

Clinical and therapeutic features of myasthenia gravis in adults based on age at onset.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of patients with very-late-onset myasthenia gravis (MG). METHODS: This observational cross-sectional multicenter study was based on information in the neurologist-driven Spanish Registry of Neuromuscular Diseases (NMD-ES). All patients were >18 years of age at onset of MG and onset occurred between 2000 and 2016 in all cases. Patients were classified into 3 age subgroups: early-onset MG (age at onset <50 years), late-onset MG (onset ≥50 and <65 years), and very-late-onset MG (onset ≥65 years). Demographic, immunologic, clinical, and therapeutic data were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 939 patients from 15 hospitals were included: 288 (30.7%) had early-onset MG, 227 (24.2%) late-onset MG, and 424 (45.2%) very-late-onset MG. The mean follow-up was 9.1 years (SD 4.3). Patients with late onset and very late onset were more frequently men (p < 0.0001). Compared to the early-onset and late-onset groups, in the very-late-onset group, the presence of anti-acetylcholine receptor (anti-AChR) antibodies (p < 0.0001) was higher and fewer patients had thymoma (p < 0.0001). Late-onset MG and very-late-onset MG groups more frequently had ocular MG, both at onset (<0.0001) and at maximal worsening (p = 0.001). Although the very-late-onset group presented more life-threatening events (Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America IVB and V) at onset (p = 0.002), they required fewer drugs (p < 0.0001) and were less frequently drug-refractory (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with MG are primarily ≥65 years of age with anti-AChR antibodies and no thymoma. Although patients with very-late-onset MG may present life-threatening events at onset, they achieve a good outcome with fewer immunosuppressants when diagnosed and treated properly.

A DM1 family with interruptions associated with atypical symptoms and late onset but not with a milder phenotype.

Carriage of interruptions in CTG repeats of the myotonic dystrophy protein kinase gene has been associated with a broad spectrum of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) phenotypes, mostly mild. However, the data available on interrupted DM1 patients and their phenotype are scarce. We studied 49 Spanish DM1 patients, whose clinical phenotype was evaluated in depth. Blood DNA was obtained and analyzed through triplet-primed polymerase chain reaction (PCR), long PCR-Southern blot, small pool PCR, AciI digestion, and sequencing. Five patients of our registry (10%), belonging to the same family, carried CCG interruptions at the 3'-end of the CTG expansion. Some of them presented atypical traits such as very late onset of symptoms ( > 50 years) and a severe axial and proximal weakness requiring walking assistance. They also showed classic DM1 symptoms including cardiac and respiratory dysfunction, which were severe in some of them. Sizes and interrupted allele patterns were determined, and we found a contraction and an expansion in two intergenerational transmissions. Our study contributes to the observation that DM1 patients carrying interruptions present with atypical clinical features that can make DM1 diagnosis difficult, with a later than expected age of onset and a previously unreported aging-related severe disease manifestation.

Correction to: Manifesting heterozygotes in McArdle disease: a myth or a reality-role of statins.

Unfortunately the name of one of the authors was spelled incorrectly in the published original article. The correct name is Alejandro Santos-Lozano. The original article got updated.

Manifesting heterozygotes in McArdle disease: a myth or a reality-role of statins.

McArdle disease is an autosomal recessive condition caused by deficiency of the PYGM gene-encoded muscle isoform of glycogen phosphorylase. Some cases of "manifesting" heterozygotes or carriers (i.e., patients who show some McArdle-like symptoms or signs despite being carriers of only one mutated PYGM allele) have been reported in the literature but there is controversy, with misdiagnosis being a possibility. The purpose of our study was to determine if there are actually "manifesting" heterozygotes of McArdle disease and, if existing, whether statin treatment can trigger such condition. Eighty-one relatives of McArdle patients (among a total of 16 different families) were studied. We determined whether they were carriers of PYGM mutations and also collected information on exercise tests (second wind and modified Wingate anaerobic test) and statin intake. We found 50 carriers and 31 non-carriers of PYGM mutations. Although we found existence of heterozygotes manifesting some exercise-related muscle problems such as exacerbated myalgia or weakness, they only accounted for 14% of the carriers and muscle symptoms were milder than those commonly reported in patients. Further, no carrier (whether reporting symptoms or not) showed the second wind phenomenon or a flat blood lactate response to maximal-intensity exercise, both of which are hallmarks of McArdle disease. On the other hand, statin myotoxicity was not associated with muscle symptom onset.

Anti-NF155 chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy strongly associates to HLA-DRB15.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the research is to study the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II allele frequencies in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) associated with anti-neurofascin 155 (NF155) antibodies. METHODS: Thirteen anti-NF155+ and 35 anti-NF155 negative (anti-NF155neg) CIDP patients were included in a case-control study. The frequencies of the DRB1 HLA allele were analyzed in all patients while DQ frequencies were only studied in patients sharing the DRB1*15 allele. In silico HLA-peptide binding and NF155 antigenicity, predictions were performed to analyze overlap between presented peptides and antigenic regions. RESULTS: DRB1*15 alleles (DRB1*15:01 and DRB1*15:02) were present in 10 out of 13 anti-NF155+ CIDP patients and in only 5 out of 35 anti-NF155neg CIDP patients (77 vs 14%; OR = 20, CI = 4.035 to 99.13). DRB1*15 alleles appeared also in significantly higher proportions in anti-NF155+ CIDP than in normal population (77 vs 17%; OR = 16.9, CI = 4.434 to 57.30). Seven anti-NF155+ CIDP patients (53%) and 5 anti-NF155neg CIDP patients had the DRB1*15:01 allele (OR = 7, p = 0.009), while 3 anti-NF155+ CIDP patients and none of the anti-NF155neg CIDP patients had the DRB1*15:02 allele (OR = 23.6, p = 0.016). In silico analysis of the NF155 peptides binding to DRB1*15 alleles showed significant overlap in the peptides presented by the 15:01 and 15:02 alleles, suggesting functional homology. CONCLUSIONS: DRB1*15 alleles are the first strong risk factor associated to a CIDP subset, providing additional evidence that anti-NF155+ CIDP patients constitute a differentiated disease within the CIDP syndrome.