Autoimmune nodopathies 
- disorders separated from CIDP 

Wieslab Diagnostic Services offers diagnostic testing for antibodies associated with autoimmune nodopathies.

Autoimmune nodopathies have until recently been regarded as subgroups of Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) but are now regarded as separate disorders according to the European Academy of Neurology. The antibodies described in autoimmune nodopathies include specificities against both nodal and paranodal antigens^1-3. 

Our new panel supports subtyping CIDP-like conditions. The new panel includes testing of autoantibodies against:

• NF155
• NF186
• CNTN1
• CASPR1

> Download Neurology Request Form

The following tests will be removed from our portfolio:  

• ANCA-Panel (BPI, Azu, Cath. G, Elastase, Lactoferrin, Lysozyme), item 040, available until March 31, 2023
• Capture MPO-ANCA, item 016, available until June 30, 2023
• Capture PR3-ANCA, item 012, available until June 30,  2023
• Urgent screening: anti-GBM, CapPR3-ANCA, and CapMPO-ANCA (Screening for RPGN and Pulmonary-renal syndrome), item 009, available until May 7, 2023

> Download the Autoimmune Request Form

Global report on Encephalitis has reached discussions with the WHO

Encephalitis Society (2022) Encephalitis: an in-depth review and gap analysis of key variables affecting global disease burden.

This report by the Encephalitis Society highlights the global incidence, morbidity, and mortality of encephalitis, as well as the surveillance systems, diagnostics, treatments, and support available worldwide. The report suggests that the number of people affected by encephalitis each year is likely between 500,000 and 2,000,000, which is more than current estimates.

Furthermore, there are barriers to implementing diagnostics tests and treatments due to a lack of test availability and limited awareness among clinicians. This report aims to initiate a dialogue with key stakeholders who can influence many of the identified areas.

The Complement system plays an important role in immune defenses and tissue remodeling. In addition, it has an important pathophysiological role in several autoimmune neurological diseases. Complement mediates the actions of pathogenic autoantibodies in Myasthenia Gravis and Neuromyelitis Optica spectrum disorders,  as well as diseases in the peripheral nervous system such as variants of Guillain–Barré syndrome, Autoimmune nodopathies (formerly described as a subtype of CIDP), disorders of the neuromuscular junction, Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, Dermatomyositis, and Necrotizing autoimmune myositis. Activation by the Complement system has also been reported in other neurodegenerative diseases affecting the central nervous system, such as Alzheimer’s, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Autoimmune Encephalitis, and Multiple Sclerosis.

The Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) 2021 includes an updated Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Glomerular Diseases.  This guideline is the first to address the subtype of complement-mediated diseases. Key takeaways include that while kidney biopsy is considered the gold standard for diagnosis, kidney biopsy is not required to diagnose membranous nephropathy (MN) in a patient with nephrotic syndrome and a positive PLA2R antibody test. THSD7Aab test may be applied as an auxiliary non-invasive diagnostic method for PLA2R-negative MN. Patients with MN should be evaluated for associated conditions, regardless of whether anti-PLA2R antibodies and anti-THSD7A antibodies are present or absent.