Immunoglobulins in Multiple Sclerosis and Infections of the Nervous System

Increased relative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin A, and immunoglobulin M were found in 73%, 9%, and 0% of 64 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, in 36%, 27%, and 9% of 39 patients with central nervous system (CNS) infections, and in 16%, 14%, and 6% of 81 patients with other neurological disorders, when compared with 30 controls. Oligoclonal CSF-immunoglobulin G in the form of discrete bands on agar gel electrophoresis and abnormal kappa:lambda immunoglobulin light chain ratio was found in 94% and 53% in MS, in 39% and 0% in CNS infections, and in 3% and 3% in other neurological disorders. Immunoelectrophoresis abnormalities of the CSF-immunoglobulin G precipitation line were found in all three patient groups. The corresponding serum investigations were nearly always normal. The MS-CSF abnormalities were correlated to different clinical factors.