SHORT COMMUNICATION
Brain immunohistopathological study in a patient with anti-NMDAR encephalitis
Jean-Christophe Antoine, Service de Neurologie, Hôpital Nord. CHU de Saint-Etienne, 42055 Saint-Etienne Cedex 02, France (tel.: +33477127805; fax: +33477120543; e-mail: [email protected]).
Abstract
Background and purpose: Anti-N-methyl-d-asparate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis is thought to be antibody-mediated. To perform an immunohistopathological study of the inflammatory reaction in a brain biopsy performed before immunomodulatory treatments in a patient with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis.
Methods: An immunohistochemical study was performed using CD3, CD68, CD20, CD138 and CD1a antibodies.
Results: Prominent B-cell cuffing was present around brain vessels accompanied by some plasma cells, while macrophages and T cells were scattered throughout the brain parenchyma.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that the B cells interact with the T cells and are involved in antibody secretion by the plasma cells.
