Oligoclonal bands predict multiple sclerosis after optic neuritis: a literature survey

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease resulting in inflammation and demyelination of neurones in the central nervous system (CNS). The first sign of MS is often monosymptomatic optic neuritis (MON). Cerebrospinal fluid from a patient with MS analysed by electrophoresis often shows a split to form so called oligoclonal bands (OCBs). OCBs consist of proteins from activated lymphocytes and plasma cell clones.