Authors: Andrea Bianchi Emanuele Bartolini Federico Melani Renzo Guerrini Mario Mascalchi
Publish Date: 2016/11/14
Volume: 264, Issue: 1, Pages: 179-181
Abstract
The diagnosis of Devic neuromyelitis optica NMO is classically based on the combination of bilateral optic neuritis and extensive myelitis in young adults and rarely in children 1 The presence of aquaporin4 immunoglobulin G antibodies AQP4IgG in serum is highly specific for NMO and allows definition of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder NMOSD in cases with isolated optic nerve spinal cord or brain involvement 2 Moreover AQP4IgG seropositivity predicts a severe relapsing inflammatory course with multifocal distribution 3 Finally the discovery of AQP4IgG has opened the way to immunological treatment with the antiCD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab which appears to be effective in prevention of relapses in pediatric NMOSD with individualized therapeutic dosing 4 5 6 7
Keywords: