Positive O bands

[JenJen749]

I recently had a LP, but he doctor neglected to do order the serum.  I am aware that I may need to repeat the procedure, but I am curious if that is always necessary in order to get a diagnosis of MS.  I had 3 O bands in my CSF.

[supermum_ms]

Hi and welcome,

It's very necessary information when it comes to being usable to add to all your other MS suggestive-consistent diagnostic evidence otherwise it's basically unusable, if the Obands are the same in the blood as the csf fluid the results are not abnormal.    Keep in mind that that LP results are not definitive diagnostically for MS, there are many systemic diseases eg lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and some infections which can cause symptoms that are very similar to MS and produce unique Obands.

Also keep in mind that IF you have enough MRI and clinical evidence consistent with MS an LP is not really necessary, unique Obands are great add on evidence but even 10-15% of pwMS have normal LP results so a normal LP can't rule out MS...

Hope that helps......JJ