Abstract

PUCCIONI-SOHLER, Marzia et al. Multiple sclerosis: clinical and laboratorial correlation. Arq. Neuro-Psiquiatr. [online]. 2001, vol.59, n.1, pp. 89-91. ISSN 0004-282X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0004-282X2001000100018.

The clinical and demographic characteristics of 86 Brazilian patients with clinically definite multiple sclerosis (MS) were compared to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings. The disease course was relapsing-remitting in 71% and chronic progressive in 29% of the cases. The IgG index was increased in 76% in the chronic progressive status and 46% and 49% during the bout and remission, respectively (p < 0.005). Only 36% of the MS patients using corticosteroids had increased IgG index, in comparison to the 64% of the patients without immunosupressive treatment. Oligoclonal IgG bands were detected in the CSF of 77% and 88% of the MS corticosteroids users and non-users, respectively. The quantitative study of intrathecal synthesis of IgG contributes to demonstrate the immunological differences between the two forms of MS, the relapsing-remitting and the chronic progressive. The treatment with corticosteroids decreases quantitatively the intrathecal synthesis of IgG but not the presence of oligoclonal bands.

Keywords : multiple sclerosis; cerebrospinal fluid; oligoclonal bands; isoelectric focusing.