Clinical, Radiologic, and Immunologic Features of Patients With CTLA4 Deficiency With Neurologic Involvement.

OBJECTIVES

CTLA4 deficiency (CTLA4d) is a disease with multisystem autoimmune features, including neurologic manifestations. We aimed to describe neurologic involvement in these patients.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional observational study using the French Reference Centre for Primary Immunodeficiencies (CEREDIH) registry plus a surveillance in national society networks. Participants with confirmed CTLA4d and neurologic involvement were included. Clinical, laboratory, and radiologic features were collected, as well as treatments. Available MRI was double-reviewed.

RESULTS

Among 70 patients with CTLA4d, 13 patients (21%) had neurologic involvement. Neurologic symptoms began at a median age of 18 [15-45] years, mostly occurring after systemic manifestations (median delay: 8.5 [4.5-10.5] years). Main symptoms included headaches, focal deficit (54% each), and seizures (38%). MRI detected at least 1 large contrast-enhancing lesion in 8 patients. Lesions reminiscent of multiple sclerosis lesions were found in 6 patients. Cerebellar (6 patients) and large spinal cord lesions (3 patients) were common. Ten patients were treated with abatacept, of whom 9 (90%) showed good clinical and radiologic response.

DISCUSSION

Neurologic involvement is common among patients with CTLA4d. Despite its rarity, and considering the suspected efficacy of abatacept, neurologists should be aware of the characteristics of CTLA4d neurologic involvement.