Posters I

Background and objective: Epidemiological findings support a complex polygenic hereditary predisposition to multiple sclerosis (MS). Carriage of HLA DRB1*1501 is the most important genetic factor in MS, while CSF- specific oligoclonal immunoglobulin G bands (OCB) constitute the most sensitive biochemical marker for diagnosing MS. Both factors are also important in MS prognosis. The aim of our study was to determine the value of immunogenetic risk factors and to estimate their relationship with the clinical features and disability status of MS patients of in Lithuanian population. Methods: It was a prospective study of 80 patients with MS; wich was carried out at University Hospital of Kaunas (Lithuania), Department of Neurology. OCB were tested using isoelectric focusing and IgG specific immunofixation. HLA DRB1 alleles were genotyped using a polymerase chain reaction. Results: The majority of cases (67.5%) had the relapsing- remitting disease course, 1/3 of patients - the progressive one, and the mean duration of the symptoms was 10.1± 6.74 years. From the all studied sample, 55% were positive for the OCBs and 56% for the HLA DRB1*1501. A statistically significant difference was found between OCBs positive vs. negative groups in EDSS scores at onset of the disease with the higher disability scores for the positive MS patients (3.93±1.21 vs. 3.36±0.96 points, p=0.02) and during last visit (4.31±2.06 vs. 3.09±1.98 points, p=0.009). The more frequent relapse rate per year was observed in the OCBs positive group (1.45±0.69 vs. 0.58±0.64, p=0.001). OCBs positive patients had higher IgG index compare with OCBs negative patients (p= 0.0001). The mean age of disease onset was slightly earlier those for OCBs and HLA positive, but statistically insignificantly (p>0.05). Our results show, that patients with positive OGB and HLA DRB1*1501 have significant relationship with damage in brainstem (p<0.00