Diagnostic utility of aquaporin-4 in the analysis of active demyelinating lesions.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To assess, in a surgical biopsy cohort of active demyelinating lesions, the diagnostic utility of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) immunohistochemistry in identifying neuromyelitis optica (NMO) or NMO spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and describe pathologic features that should prompt AQP4 immunohistochemical analysis and AQP4-immunoglobulin G (IgG) serologic testing.

Methods

This was a neuropathologic cohort study of 20 surgical biopsies (19 patients; 11 cord/9 brain), performed because of diagnostic uncertainty, interpreted as active demyelinating disease and containing 2 or more of the following additional features: tissue vacuolation, granulocytic infiltrates, or astrocyte injury.

Results

AQP4 immunoreactivity was lost in 18 biopsies and increased in 2. Immunopathologic feat

SUBMITTER: Popescu BF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4336081 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature