Diagnosis of inflammatory demyelinating diseases (IDD) with similar phenotype to neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), including optic neuritis (single or bilateral) and transverse myelitis
Diagnosis of autoimmune myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-opathy
Diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica (NMO)
Distinguishing NMOSD, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), optic neuritis, and transverse myelitis from multiple sclerosis early in the course of disease
Diagnosis of ADEM
Prediction of a relapsing disease course
Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-IgG with an NMO spectrum disorder like phenotype is now recognized as a sensitive and specific diagnostic antibody biomarker of inflammatory demyelinating disorders (IDDs).
Approximately 80% of patients fulfilling 2006 Wingerchuk criteria for neuromyelitis optica are seropositive for aquaporin-4 (AQP4)-IgG. Of the remaining 20%, one-third harbor MOG-IgG. Seropositivity predicts a relapsing phenotype and warrants immunosuppressive therapy. Patients only rarely harbor both antibodies.
There is currently no biomarker specific for MS (multiple sclerosis). Patients seropositive for MOG-IgG are commonly misdiagnosed as MS. Detection of MOG-IgG implies an inflammatory demyelinating disorder distinct from MS. MS therapies may worsen MOG-IgG associated IDDs, so correct diagnosis is important.
Seropositivity for MOG-IgG, in NMOSD like disorders, including optic neuritis (OT), transverse myelitis (TM), and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), predicts relapse and warrants consideration for maintenance immunosuppression.
Seropositivity for MOG-IgG in the setting of a severe relapse of central nervous system (CNS) demyelination warrants aggressive therapy with intravenous methylprednisolone or plasmapheresis.
