Oligoclonal bands are significant in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis when:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Oligoclonal bands are significant in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis when they are seen in the CSF and not in the serum. This indicates an immunological reaction confined to the CNS, which is a characteristic of multiple sclerosis. The presence of oligoclonal bands in both serum and CSF or in the albumin and globulin fractions of serum and CSF may indicate other conditions such as chronic infections, systemic autoimmune diseases, or neoplastic disorders. The number of bands seen in the CSF is not a defining factor in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

Oligoclonal Bands Are Significant in the Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis