Antioligodendrocyte antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid of multiple sclerosis and other neurologic diseases.

Thirty-one concentrated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pools--10 multiple sclerosis (MS), and 21 controls with other neurologic diseases--were tested for antibodies against oligodendrocytes by indirect immunofluorescence on frozen brain sections and by complement fixation (CF) against isolated oligodendrocytes. Oligodendrocytes staining was found in 4 of 10 MS and 21 control CSF specimens. CF was detected in 4 of 10 MS and 3 of 21 controls. Positive results correlated with high albumin:IgG ratios. Using F(ab')2 fragments, specific antibodies against oligodendrocytes were detected in both MS and control specimens. In sera from MS and controls, oligodendrocyte staining was found in 16 of 23 MS samples and 11 of 30 controls. CF was present in one MS serum only. Therefore, antioligodendrocyte antibodies in CSF are not specific indicators for multiple sclerosis.