Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of repeated treatments with low-dose rituximab for relapsing neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Methods A perspective study. 21 patients who were diagnosed with NMOSD one year ago were recruited for rituximab treatment. Of 21 patients, one was male, 20 were females. Onset age was 10 - 51 years, the mean onset age was (26.2±12.0) years. Duration of disease was 2.3 - 25.8 years, the mean duration was (9.2±5.9) years. Best corrected vision activity (BCVA), expanded disability status scale (EDSS), annualized relapsing rate (ARR) were valued to investigate the efficacy and safety of repeated treatments with low-dose rituximab. The BCVA was examined using Snellen chart, and converted to logMAR. The mean BCVA was 1.13±1.09, the mean BCVA in better eyes was 0.4±0.68, the mean BCVA in latter eyes was 1.87±0.90. The mean EDSS was 3.09±0.70. The mean ARR was 1.04±0.65. All patients underwent two cycles of RTX treatment. The annually induction treatment was RTX 100 mg per week for 4 weeks. Of 21 patients, 12 patients had treatment within one month after attack. The mean follow-up period was (28.4±4.9) months. The side effects were recorded, BCVA, EDSS, ARR were valued to investigate the efficacy and safety of repeated treatments with low-dose rituximab. Paired t test, independent sample t test and Chi-squared test were used. Results The mean BCVA at last follow-up was 0.62±0.91, the mean BCVA in better eye was 0.62±0.91, the BCVA in latter eye was 1.0±1.01. The mean EDSS was 2.26±1.07. The mean ARR was 0.21 ± 0.3. After the treatment, patient had significant improvement on BCVA in worst eye (t=4.256), ARR (t=2.900), EDSS (t=4.620) with the significant differences (P＜0.05).Thirteen relapses in 9 patients were observed. B lymph cells were more than 0.01% in all relapses. There was no significant difference on the BCVA in better eye (t=1.840, P＞0.05). There were 9 patients had relapse, 13 times in total. Of 13 relapses, B lymph cell count was performed in 12 relapses, and the counts were 0.01% - 0.14%. There were no significant difference between relapsed patients and non-relapsed patients on onset age (t=0.67, P=0.51), whether underwent plasma exchange treatment (χ2=1.61, P＞0.05), with/without auto-immune antibody ratio (χ2=1.61, P＞0.05). Of 21 patients, 8 patients had side effects, including 5 patients with infection, 4 patients with chest congestion, 3 patients with hair losing, 2 patients with skin rashes, headache and short of breath, 1 patient with tinnitus, palpitation and fatigue. Four patients had more than one symptom. Of all patients who had side effects, slowing down the infusion speed of RTX or infusing 5 mg of dexamethasone could relieve the discomfort. Conclusion Lose-dose rituximab reduces the frequency of NMOSD relapses and is well tolerated.
Objective To observe the effect of intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) pulse therapy on the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the number of relapses in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder-related optic neuritis (NMOSD-ON) after total IVMP dose. MethodsA retrospective clinical study. From March 2020 to February 2023, 23 patients of 27 eyes with NMOSD-ON in Shanxi Eye Hospital were included in the study. BCVA examinations were performed on all affected eyes using the international standard visual acuity chart, which was statistically converted into logMAR visual acuity. Serum aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-IgG) was detected by indirect immunofluorescence assay based on cell detection technology in all patients. According to Guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of NMOSD spectrum disorders in China (2021 edition), patients were given IVMP impact therapy. Among them, 18 and 5 patients received 1 000 and 500 mg/d IVMP pulse therapy respectively for 3-5 consecutive days, followed by a reduction to 500 or 250 mg/d for 2-3 consecutive days. The average total IVMP dose during the treatment was 4 500 mg (1 500-5 250 mg). The changes in BCVA at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment were observed for the initial and post-treatment BCVA of ≤0.1, ＞0.1-<0.5, and ≥0.5. The changes of BCVA at 1 week and 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment were observed. The comparison of BCVA between different age, disease duration, and IVMP total dose conditions was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. The comparison of BCVA between different relapse times was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. The influence of IVMP total dose on the number of relapses during the 6-month follow-up was analyzed using χ2 test. The factors affecting BCVA ≥0.5 after 6 months of IVMP treatment were analyzed by logistic regression, and the correlation between ΔlogMAR BCVA and IVMP pulse total dose was analyzed by Spearman correlation. ResultsIn 23 cases with 27 eyes, there were 3 males and 20 females. The median age was 35 years. The median duration of illness was 5 days. There were 21 (91.30%, 21/23) positive and 2 (8.70%, 2/23) negative cases of AQP4-IgG, respectively. There were 3 cases (13.04%, 3/23) with the first course of disease and 4 eyes (14.81%, 4/27). There were 20 cases (86.96%, 20/23) with recurrence course and 23 eyes (85.19%, 23/27). The median time from initial onset to the initiation of corticosteroid treatment was 7 days. During the 6-month follow-up after treatment, 5 patients (21.74%, 5/23) relapsed in 6 eyes (22.22%, 6/27), all of which were patients with initial relapse course. Among them, recurred 1 or ≥2 times in 4 (66.67%, 4/6) and 2 (33.33%, 2/6) eyes respectively. BCVA≤0.1, ＞0.1-＜0.5, ≥0.5 in 20, 4, 3 eyes and 3, 13, 11 eyes at the beginning and 6 months after treatment, respectively. There was significant difference in the number of eyes with BCVA≤0.1, ＞0.1-＜0.5 and ≥0.5 at different time after treatment (χ2=40.772, P＜0.001). The treatment effect of female patients was better than that of male patients. The patients with initial BCVA≥0.1 had more increased eye number of BCVA than those with BCVA＜0.1, the patients with first course of disease had more increased eye number of BCVA than those with recurrent course of disease, and the patients with total dose of IVMP ＞4 500 mg had less increased eye number of BCVA than those with total dose ≤4 500 mg. The differences were statistically significant (Z=?2.449, ?2.904, ?2.485, ?2.286; P=0.014, 0.004, 0.013, 0.022). Logistic regression analysis showed that the higher the initial BCVA≤0.1 and the total impact dose of IVMP, the lower the possibility of obtaining BCVA≥0.5 after treatment (odds ratio=0.069, 0.899; 95% confidence interval 0.010-0.463, 0.798-0.998; P=0.006, 0.020). Spearman correlation analysis showed that ΔlogMAR BCVA was negatively correlated with total impact dose of IVMP (rs=?0.472, P=0.013). There was no significant difference in the number of recurrence after different total doses of IVMP (P＞0.05). ConclusionsIVMP total dose ≤4 500 mg can achieve better BCVA prognosis compared with IVMP total dose ＞4 500 mg. IVMP total dose has no effect on the number of recurrences after treatment.
Neuromyelitis optica-related optic neuritis (NMO-ON) is a kind of severe optic nerve disease, which always leads to replase, poor prognosis, and even blindness. Aquaporin 4 antibody (AQP4-IgG) is the main diagnostic biomarker for neuromyelitis optica with high specificity. Serum myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody (MOG-IgG) is helpful for the diagnosis of AQP4-IgG negative patients. The study of biomarkers is helpful to deeply understand the pathogenesis of NMO-ON, help the diagnosis of the disease, and finally make precise treatment. Orbital MRI can help to differentiate MOG-IgG positive from AQP4-IgG positive neuromyelitis optica and optic neuritis, which is very important for the diagnosis of NMO-ON. At present, the standardized treatment of NMO-ON can be divided into two clinical stages: acute stage and remission stage. Corticosteroids and plasma exchange are the main treatments in acute stage, aiming at alleviating acute inflammatory reaction and improving prognosis. Immunosuppressive agents and biological agents are the main treatments in remission stage, aiming at preventing or reducing recurrence. With the development of the diagnosis and treatment of NMO-ON, we find that it is more and more important to strengthen the construction of neuro-ophthalmology team in China, establish clinical epidemiological database of NMO-ON, and carry out multi-centre, large-sample, prospective clinical control studies in China to provide evidence-based medicine for Chinese people. In addition, we need to strengthen efforts to establish and improve the diagnostic criteria for NMO-ON and the promotion of diagnostic and therapeutic criteria, and strive to improve the clinical diagnosis and treatment level of NMO-ON in China.
Objective To observe the clinical features and visual function of recurrent neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Methods Thirty-four patients with NMO were enrolled in this retrospective case series study. The patients included two males and 32 females. The average first onset age was (35.03plusmn;14.56) years old and the average recurrent rate were (4.24plusmn;2.45) times. The recurrent rate of optic neuritis (ON) ranged from two to 12 times. The recurrent rate of ON was two times in 15 eyes of 10 patients, ge;three times in 37 eyes of 24 patients. Vision acuity, direct ophthalmoscope, fundus pre-set lens examination, visual field and visual evoked potential (VEP) were evaluated. Clinical features were observed. The abnormal rate of optic nerve including optic edema and atrophy; abnormal rate of visual field including decreasing retinal sensitivity, central and paracentral scotoma, ring scotoma, half field defects, tunnel visual field, visual field centrality constriction; abnormal rate of VEP including Prolonged latent phase and/or decreasing amplitude of P100 wave from patients of first episode or recurrence was analyzed. Serum NMO-IgG was detected from 28 patients by indirect immunofluorescence technique to observe its positive rate. Results All patients were characterized by repeated episodes of ON and myelitis. The main clinical feature of ON was visual loss, and the main clinical features of myelitis included sensory disability, dyskinesia and vesicorectal disorder. Blindness rate was 41.67% after the first attack of ON, 33.33% after two relapses, and 64.86% after ge; three relapses. The difference of blindness rate between first attack and two episodes was not significant (chi;2=0.270,P=0.603). However, the blindness rate in patients having ge; three episodes was significantly higher than those having two episodes (chi;2=4.300,P=0.038). With recurrence rate increasing, the abnormal rate of the optic nerve (chi;2=6.750,P=0.034）and VEP（chi;2=6.990,P=0.030）increased. But the abnormal rate of visual field did not increase along with recurrent rate (chi;2=0.660,P=0.718). Seropositive rate of NMO-IgG did not differ significantly between patients with first attack ON and that with recurrent ON (chi;2=1.510,P=0.470). But the seropositive patients had significantly higher bilateral blindness rate than seronegative patients (chi;2=5.063,P=0.027). Conclusions NMO are characterized by recurrent ON and myelitis. Visual loss, sensory disability, dyskinesia and vesicorectal disorder are the main clinical features. With recurrence rate increasing, the blindness rate, abnormalities the optic nerve and the abnormity rate of VEP increase. Seropositive recurrent NMO patients have higher bilateral blindness rate than seronegative patients.
【摘要】 目的 在實驗性自身免疫性腦脊髓炎(experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis,EAE)模型中,比較常規T2加權成像(T2weighted imaging,T2WI)、釓二乙三胺五醋酸(gadoliniumdiethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid,GdDTPA)和超順磁性氧化鐵(superparamagnetic iron oxide,SPIO)增強圖像之間的差異,探討巨噬細胞在多發性硬化(multiple sclerosis,MS)炎性活動病灶中的細胞學標志。方法 在EAE模型臨床癥狀的亞臨床期、初發期、高峰期,13只復發緩解(relapsingremitting,RR)EAE大鼠模型組和13只正常對照組大鼠在注入對比劑之前均行常規T2WI掃描,接著分別在其尾靜脈注入GdDTPA后5 min行T1加權成像(T1weighted imaging,T1WI),再注入SPIO,24 h后行T2WI掃描。掃描完畢后立即處死大鼠取腦,行腦組織切片的ED1免疫組織化學染色和Prussian blue染色。結果 EAE模型組大鼠在第11天出現臨床癥狀(初發期),第14天達到高峰期;MRI檢查:SPIO增強圖像對EAE病灶的顯示較常規T2WI和GdDTPA增強圖像好。病理學檢查:ED1染色,在SPIO顯示為低信號的區域內出現了炎癥細胞(以巨噬細胞為主)浸潤;Prussian blue染色示病灶內巨噬細胞胞質內出現了藍染顆粒,沉積部位與T2WI上低信號區對應。對照組大鼠均無異常。結論 SPIO較GdDTPA更好地顯示EAE模型中炎性活動性病灶內血管周圍以巨噬細胞為主的浸潤。
【摘要】 目的 分析合并免疫指標異常的視神經脊髓炎臨床特點。 方法 回顧性分析2009年5月-2010年11月收治的62例視神經脊髓炎患者中24例合并免疫指標異常患者的臨床資料。24例均為女性，發病年齡14~53歲。對其臨床表現、視覺誘發電位、影像學檢查結果、免疫檢查結果進行分析。 結果 所有患者均有脊髓和視神經同時或先后受累的表現。24例視覺誘發電位檢查23例異常。脊髓MRI顯示病變集中于頸段、上胸段脊髓。頸段和胸段脊髓同時受累17例，單純頸段脊髓受損6例，單純胸段脊髓受損1例。所有患者抗核抗體滴度均≥1∶100，合并抗SSA抗體陽性14例（55.5％），同時合并抗SSB抗體陽性11例（45.8％），合并抗Rib抗體陽性1例，合并抗SCL-70抗體陽性1例，合并抗dsDNA抗體1例。 結論 視神經脊髓炎合并免疫指標異常的患者以女性較為多見，易復發，青壯年患者發病率最高。脊髓MRI示病變集中于頸段、上胸段脊髓，表現為長節段脊髓損害。視神經脊髓炎患者合并結締組織病的病例較多。【Abstract】 Objective To analyze the clinical features of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) combined with abnormal immune parameters. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 24 patients with NMO and abnormal immune parameters among the 62 NMO patients who were admitted into our department between May 2009 and November 2010. All patients were female, aged from 14 to 53 years. We analyzed their clinical manifestations, visual evoked potentials, imaging results, and immunological examinations. Results All patients had simultaneous or successive spinal cord and optic nerve involvement. Twenty-three patients had abnormal visual evoked potential. MRI showed that the lesions focused on the cervical and upper thoracic spinal cord. Both cervical and thoracic spinal cord were involved in 17 cases; there were 6 cases of simple cervical spinal cord injury and 1 case of simple thoracic spinal cord damage. Antinuclear antibody titer of all the patients was ≥1∶100. Combined positive anti-SSA antibody occurred in 14 patients (55.5%); Concomitant positive anti-SSB antibodies occurred in 11 patients (45.8%); Combined positive anti-Rib antibodies occurred in 1 patient; Combined positive anti-SCL-70 antibody occurred in 1 patient; and combined positive anti-dsDNA antibodies occurred in 1 patient. Conclusions NMO combined with abnormal immune parameters mainly occurs in female patients, especially in young people. Recurrence rate is high. MRI shows that the lesions focus mainly on the cervical and upper thoracic spinal cord, manifesting the characteristic of long segment damage. And NMO is frequently combined with connective tissue disease.
【摘要】 目的 分析急性播散性腦脊髓炎的臨床特點，提高診療。 方法 收集1999年1月-2010年1月住院的急性播散性腦脊髓炎患者42例，對其臨床癥狀體征、實驗室檢查、影像學改變及治療進行全面回顧性分析。 結果 42例患者中5～14歲者11例（26.19%）；15～40歲者20例（47.62%），感染后引起的23例（54.76%），無明顯誘因占15例（35.71%）；腦脊液23例（23/34，67.65%）異常；腦電圖異常者27例（27/32，84.38%）；CT檢查陽性率26例（26/40，65.00%），MRI陽性率25例（25/28，89.29%）；糖皮質素、丙種球蛋白治療有效。 結論 急性播散性腦脊髓炎是一組臨床表現多樣的免疫介導的炎性疾病，腦脊液、MRI和腦電圖有重要診斷價值。急性期大劑量皮質素、靜脈丙種球蛋白治療均有較好療效。【Abstract】 Objective To analysis the clinical features of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis so as to improve medical treatment. Methods From January, 1999 to January, 2010, 42 inpatients with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis were collected and their clinical data were analyzed retrospectively. Results Out of these 42 patients, 11 (26.19% ) were within 5 to 14 years, 20 (47.62%) ithin 15 to 40 years; 23 (54.76%) had definite infection, and 15 (35. 71%)had no any causes; 23 (23/34, 67.65%) had abnormal cerebrospinal fluid; 27 (27/32, 84.38%) had abnormal electro-encephalograph; 26 (26/40, 65.00%) were CT positive, 25 (25/28, 89.29%) MRI positive; corticosteroids and gamma globulin were effective in the treatment of disseminated encephalomyelitis. Conclusion Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis is a kind of inflammatory disease with various clinical manifestation and mediated by immune. Cerebrospinal fluid, MRI, and electro-encephalograph have important roles in its diagnosis. Large dose of corticosteroids and gamma globulin are effective in the treatment of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.