Seropositivity rate of IGLON 5- A retrospective laboratory based study from India

IgLON 5 disease is a rare immune mediated tauopathy and its prevalence in India is unknown. Our aim was to determine the rate of seropositivity of anti IgLON 5 antibodies in our study population.

Retrospective study done between February 2022 and December 2023 at the Neuroimmunology laboratory of Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, Kerala, India. Patients who underwent IgLON 5 testing were identified from laboratory records and their details extracted.

Out of a total of 1027 patients tested for IgLON 5, 33 were positive for anti IgLON 5 antibody. [Mean age - 63.45±9.59 years; males -21]. Twenty-six cases were positive in serum, 4 in cerebrospinal fluid and 3 in both serum and CSF. The rate of seropositivity of IgLON 5 in this study population was 3.21 %.

This laboratory study shows an increased seropositivity rate of IgLON 5 disease in India. Genetic predisposition could be a potential explanation. Population based studies and genetic studies will be required to ascertain this. However, this brief report points at the need for increased awareness among clinicians regarding IgLON 5 disease, as it is more common in our population.