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Objectives: Anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) antibody is associated with clinically heterogeneous polyneuropathies. Our purpose was to compare neuropathy phenotypes identified by different anti-MAG tests' results., Methods: Cohort study: Sera from 40 neuropathy anti-MAG EIA positive patients were tested for anti-MAG by Western blot (WB), for anti-peripheral nerve myelin (PNM) on monkey nerve by immunofluorescence assay (IFA), and for anti-HNK1 on rat CNS slices by IFA. Anti-sulfatide antibodies, for comparison, were also tested by EIA., Results: Among 40 anti-MAG EIA positive sera, 85% also had anti-PNM IFA reactivity and 67.5% bind HNK1 on rat CNS. Anti-HNK1 positive patients had the classical predominantly distal acquired demyelinating symmetric (DADS) neuropathy with a benign course, while anti-PNM positive but anti-HNK1 negative patients had predominantly axonal neuropathy with a high frequency of anti-sulfatide reactivity and the worst long-term prognosis. Anti-MAG EIA positive patients without anti-PNM or anti-HNK1 IFA reactivity had a CIDP-like polyneuropathy., Conclusion: Different methods to test for anti-MAG antibodies identify different clinical and electrophysiological findings, as well as long-term outcome. HNK1 reactivity is the strongest marker of DADS.

This document presents the guidelines for anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) antibody testing that have been developed following a consensus process built on questionnaire-based surveys, internet contacts, and discussions at workshops of sponsoring Italian Association of Neuroimmunology (AINI) congresses. The main clinical information on anti-MAG antibody polyneuropathy, indications and limits of anti-MAG antibody testing, instructions for result interpretation, and an agreed laboratory protocol (Appendix) are reported for the communicative community of neurologists and clinical pathologists.

This document presents the guidelines for the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and the determination of oligoclonal bands (OCBs) as pivotal tests in neuroinflammatory pathologies of the central nervous system. The guidelines have been developed following a consensus process built on questionnaire-based surveys, internet contacts, and discussions at workshops of the sponsoring Italian Association of Neuroimmunology (AINI) congresses. Essential clinical information on the pathologies in which the CSF analysis is indicated, and, particularly, on those characterized by the presence of OCBs in the intrathecal compartment, indications and limits of CSF analysis and OCB determination, instructions for result interpretation, and agreed laboratory protocols (Appendix) are reported for the communicative community of neurologists and clinical pathologists.

This document presents the guidelines for onconeural antibody testing that have been developed following a consensus process built on questionnaire-based surveys, internet contacts, and discussions at workshops of the sponsoring Italian Association of Neuroimmunology (AINI) congresses. Essential clinical information on paraneoplastic neurological syndromes, indications and limits of onconeural antibody testing, instructions for result interpretation, and an agreed laboratory protocol (Appendix) are reported for the communicative community of neurologists and clinical pathologists.

This document presents the guidelines for anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody testing that has been developed following a consensus process built on questionnaire-based surveys, internet contacts, and discussions at workshops of the sponsoring Italian Association of Neuroimmunology (AINI) congresses. Essential clinical information on neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, indications and limits of anti-AQP4 antibody testing, instructions for result interpretation, and an agreed laboratory protocol (Appendix) are reported for the communicative community of neurologists and clinical pathologists.

This document presents the guidelines for testing antibodies against neuronal surface antigens that have been developed following a consensus process built on questionnaire-based surveys, internet contacts, and discussions at workshops of the sponsoring Italian Association of Neuroimmunology (AINI) congresses. Essential clinical information on autoimmune encephalitis associated with antibodies against neuronal surface antigens, indications and limits of testing for such antibodies, instructions for result interpretation, and an agreed laboratory protocol (Appendix A) are reported for the communicative community of neurologists and clinical pathologists.

This document presents the guidelines for anti-ganglioside antibody testing that have been developed following a consensus process built on questionnaire-based surveys, internet contacts, and discussions at workshops of the sponsoring Italian Association of Neuroimmunology (AINI) congresses. Main clinical information on dysimmune peripheral neuropathies, indications and limits of anti-ganglioside antibody testing, instructions for result interpretation, and an agreed laboratory protocol (Appendix) are reported for the communicative community of neurologists and clinical pathologists.