Case Report: MOGAD - a steroid-responsive autoimmune meningoencephalitis mimicking infection

Front Immunol. 2025 Feb 24:16:1516178. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1516178. eCollection 2025.

Abstract

This case series reports three patients initially managed for presumed infectious meningoencephalitis, who were ultimately diagnosed with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein associated disease (MOGAD). Their clinical presentations were strikingly similar to those of acute infectious meningoencephalitis, which posed a challenge to the initial diagnostic process. Notably, despite the absence of typical radiological changes associated with MOGAD, such as cerebral cortical encephalitis, these patients exhibited focal neurological and electroencephalographic changes. This series highlights the importance of considering MOG antibody testing in cases of aseptic meningoencephalitis, where early and accurate diagnosis can influence treatment decisions and patient outcomes in this steroid-responsive condition.

Keywords: MOG-IgG; MOGAD; aseptic meningoencephalitis; autoimmune; cerebral cortical encephalitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones* / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Autoantibodies / immunology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Electroencephalography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Meningoencephalitis* / diagnosis
  • Meningoencephalitis* / drug therapy
  • Meningoencephalitis* / immunology
  • Middle Aged
  • Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease* / diagnosis
  • Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease* / drug therapy
  • Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease* / immunology
  • Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein* / immunology

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • MOG protein, human
  • Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones