From the Research
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Findings in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Patients with Limbic Encephalitis
- High titers of anti-ribosomal-P antibodies in the CSF have been associated with nervous system lupus, as seen in a case study of a 28-year-old woman with SLE who suffered from limbic encephalitis 1.
- Elevated CSF IgM, IgA, and IgG indexes, which indicate intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis, have been found in patients with CNS-SLE, including those with limbic encephalitis 2.
- Increased levels of cyclic GMP (C-GMP) in the CSF have been correlated with active neurologic disease in SLE patients, including those with limbic encephalitis 3.
- The presence of oligoclonal bands (OCB) in the CSF has been found to be more frequent in patients with antibody-associated limbic encephalitis, including those with SLE, and may be a helpful diagnostic marker 4.
- A lower CD4/CD8+ T-cell ratio in the CSF has been associated with blood-CSF barrier dysfunction in patients with limbic encephalitis, including those with SLE 5.
CSF Markers
- Oligoclonal bands (OCB): more frequent in patients with antibody-associated limbic encephalitis, including those with SLE 4.
- Cyclic GMP (C-GMP): increased levels correlated with active neurologic disease in SLE patients, including those with limbic encephalitis 3.
- IgM, IgA, and IgG indexes: elevated in patients with CNS-SLE, including those with limbic encephalitis 2.
- CD4/CD8+ T-cell ratio: lower ratio associated with blood-CSF barrier dysfunction in patients with limbic encephalitis, including those with SLE 5.