Pathogenic role of aquaporin antibodies in the development of neuromyelitis optica in a woman with celiac disease.

clinical examination, magnetic resonance imaging, cerebrospinal findings and positive aquaporin-4 antibodies, which are highly specific and sensitive for this condition. The serum autoantibody NMO-immunoglobulin G was reported as a biomarker of neuromyelitis optica in 2004. Viral prodrome often precedes the onset of disease, suggesting that infectious agents may cause or trigger NMO. Many diseases have been associated with NMO, including most viral infections, hypothyroidism, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren’s syndrome and other connective tissue disorders. Serological and clinical evidence of B cell autoimmunity has been observed in a high proportion of patients with neuromyelitis optica. In the case presented here, the patient had a complex humoral immunity disorder with clinically confirmed neuromyelitis optica. To the best of our knowledge this is the first such report.