Clinical Correlation of Multiple Sclerosis Immunopathologic Subtypes
W. Oliver Tobin, Alicja Kalinowska, Stephen D. Weigand, Yong Guo, Nirubol Tosakulwong, Joseph E. Parisi, Imke Metz, Josa M. Frischer, Hans Lassmann, Wolfgang Brück, L. Linbo, Claudia F. Lucchinetti
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The goal of this work was to compare clinical characteristics across immunopathologic subtypes of patients with multiple sclerosis. METHODS: Immunopathologic subtyping was performed on specimens from 547 patients with biopsy- or autopsy-confirmed CNS demyelination. RESULTS: = 0.49), with no differences in long-term survival, despite a more fulminant attack presentation. CONCLUSION: All 3 immunopatterns can be detected in active lesions, although they are found less frequently later into the disease due to the lower number of active lesions. Pattern III is associated with a more fulminant initial attack than either pattern I or II. Biopsied patients appear to have similar long-term outcomes regardless of their immunopatterns. Progressive disease is less associated with the initial immunopattern and suggests convergence into a final common pathway related to the chronically denuded axon.