Neurológia pre prax 2/2023

Autoimmune meningoencephalitis associated with anti‑GFAP antibodies – a case study

Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy, first described in 2016, belongs to the group of autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system. This disease typically manifests around 50 years of age, without sex predilection. Clinical picture is variable, but typically is that of meningoencephalitis. In approximately one fifth of cases, the patient suffers from another autoimmune disease and has a malignancy. Diagnosis is supported with typical findings on brain MRI – T2 hyperintense lesions and perivenular radial enhancement in contrast-enhanced T1 sequence. The disease responds well to immunotherapy, particularly corticosteroids. Relapses occur, mostly with fast detraction of corticotherapy. We present the first case of GFAP astrocytopathy in the Czech Republic.

Keywords: autoimmune encephalitis, glial fibrillary acidic protein, radial enhancement, astrocytopathy