Prognostic value of intrathecal IgG synthesis in multiple sclerosis: a study in 54 patients

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system with multifocal areas of demyelination. Even with a better understanding of the mechanisms causing MS, immunological factors that indicate disease activity are only starting to be discovered. Chronic brain inflammation is often associated with an increase in production of IgG in the CSF as determined by the IgG index (normal ≤0.77) and oligoclonal bands (OCBs). Different studies have found variable correlations between these two factors and disease progression. We herein evaluate the correlation of IgG index and OCB with disease progression in Iranian MS patients. The IgG index was measured in 54 patients with multiple sclerosis.