Hi Everyone, I have been to the doctors today and apparently my Oligoclonald bands are the same in my blood as csf fluid which apparently makes it unlikely to be ms. I don’t understand what this means or what else could be wrong, all I know is that I am feeling really poorly and with ms symptoms. LIsa x
Oligoclonal bands are a type of protein that is produced by the immune system so the sample they are found in can show where the immune system has been active. Bands in CSF mean that the immune system has been active in the central nervous system (CNS) and bands in serum mean that the immune system has been active in the rest of the body. (Serum is the liquid left after blood coagulates.)
When you have a lumbar puncture, they take a blood sample at the same time and then test both the CSF and the serum from the blood. Bands that are in one sample, but not in the other are called “unmatching”. Results might be no bands in either sample, bands in only one sample, matching bands in both samples, or bands in both samples, but more unmatched bands in one of them.
Someone who has matching bands in CSF and serum is thought to have a “systemic” cause of their symptoms, in other words, something wrong with them that has affected everything: their body and their CNS. This is called a Type 4 result. (And it sounds like this is what your test shows.)
Because MS only involves an immune response in the CNS, the most typical LP result is unmatched bands in the CSF (so those bands are not in the serum). This is called a Type 2 result.
Note that I’ve only said “most likely” and “most typical” - this is because LP results are not definitive and you can get people with MS who have Type 2, Type 4 and even normal results. LP’s are merely one piece of the puzzle.
There are many systemic diseases, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and some infections. Some of these can cause symptoms that are very similar to MS.
Hopefully your neuro will be able to work it out for you.
Karen x
Hi Karen, Thank you for your reply, I understand it much better now. You really are such a star and I don’t know what this board would do without you and many other people here. Thanks again Karen, I will post on here after my neuro appointment next month. Lisa xxx
Hi Lisa, yes, our Karen is a star for helping us sift through medi speak!
I never knew what LP results meant…except that the 2 Ive had were normal`. So i am clearer on it now too.
luv Pollx
Hi Karen I am confused and need advice. I was diagnosed 4 months ago with Demyelination as there was inflammation on my cerebellum. I have had a second MRI last week and have received a letter from the Neurologist. It stated no new lesions present and the abnormality is slightly smaller. He also states that oligoclinal bands were positive in serum and csf with additional bands in the car indicating intratgecal synthesis. I do feel pretty good and there is improvement but would appreciate if you could explain what this means? Sally x
Hi Sally
The post you are replying to is very old, the last reply being in 2013. Karen (Rizzo) no longer replies to posts on the forum.
You would be better off starting a new thread by hitting the New Thread button, you give it a title, write what you want to know / communicate, and hope that someone else is knowledgeable enough to answer.
Sadly I am not.
Sue