A Prospective Study to Evaluate Neurological Antibodies in Patients with Autoimmune Encephalitis: An Experience from a Specialised Immunology Laboratory
Abstract:
Objectives: The objective of this research is to evaluate the incidence of various antibodies against neuronal antigens along with concomitant clinical correlation.
Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted in the department of immunology with a study duration of 1.8 years (Jan 2021 to August 2022). A total of 330 samples were tested for autoimmune encephalitis panel using indirect cell-based immunofluorescence technique. All cases reported with a positive antibody were discussed with their clinical presentation.
Results: A total of 28 cases were reported positive, of which fifteen were females and thirteen males. The age range was 5-78 years with median age of 41.5 yrs. Of these 28 cases, 22 were positive on testing serum while 6 were positive with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. Out of the total 28 samples, 21 were positive for antibodies against NMDAR, three for CASPR, two for LGI1 and one for AMPA. There were 2 cases with concomitant positivity for both CASPR and LGI1.
Conclusion: There is still much need for exploration and research in this fascinating group of entities. Sound clinical approach and a necessity to be on the lookout for unexplained clinical symptoms, multifocal lesions on imaging and behavioural abnormalities in order to suspect and diagnose these patients and provide timely treatment.
