Oligoklonale

Oligoklonale refers to a condition characterized by the presence of a limited number of distinct antibody populations in a sample, typically cerebrospinal fluid. This finding is often associated with inflammatory and demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system, most notably multiple sclerosis (MS). In healthy individuals, the antibody profile in the cerebrospinal fluid is polyclonal, meaning it consists of a wide variety of antibodies. The appearance of oligoclonal bands suggests that a specific immune response is occurring within the central nervous system, leading to the proliferation of a restricted set of B lymphocytes producing these antibodies.

The detection of oligoclonal bands is usually performed through isoelectric focusing followed by immunoblotting. These bands represent specific IgG antibodies that have migrated to discrete positions on the gel based on their isoelectric point. The presence of these bands in the cerebrospinal fluid, especially when absent in the serum, is a sensitive marker for CNS inflammation. While strongly suggestive of MS, oligoclonal bands can also be found in other neurological conditions such as neuromyelitis optica, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), and some infections of the central nervous system. The interpretation of oligoclonal bands should always be considered in conjunction with clinical symptoms and other diagnostic findings.