Abstract

Neuromyleltis Optica also called as Devic’s disease is an aggressive inflammatory disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of optic neuritis and myelitis. More female predominance [9:1]. Attacks of Optic neuritis can be bilateral with severe visual loss. Myelitis can be severe and transverse and is typically longitudinally extensive involving 3 or more contiguous vertebral segments. CSF findings include pleocytosis with neutrophils and eosinophils, OCB bands are uncommon occurring in <20% of NMO. The prevalence range of NMOSD is 0.5–4/100,000 and may be up to 10/100,000 in certain racial groups. Optic neuritis or myelitis are the defining signs of NMOSD; either one may appear as the initial symptom. A highly specific and only modestly sensitive diagnostic test for NMOSD is Aquaporin-4 Immunoglobulin G (AQP4-IgG). It has been demonstrated that it can identify antibodies that are specific to the astrocyte protein AQP4.

Keywords: Optic neuritis, Myelitis, Aquaporin – 4 Immunoglobulin G.