MOG- and AQP-4-IgG Antibodies in Children with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders and NMO-Related Symptoms

Background: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is characterized by episodes of recurrent or bilateral optic neuritis (ON) and longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM). Particularly in adults, aquaporin-4-antibodies (AQP-4-Abs) are found in the serum in up to 80% of all the cases. Some patients do not fulfill all criteria initially and present only with a recurrent ON, bilateral ON, or LETM with AQP-4-Abs. These cases belong to the NMO Spectrum Disorders (NMOSD). Recently, it was shown that children with AQP-4-Ab negative NMOSD can have myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies (MOG-Abs).