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Oligoclonal bands are a about two to five bands of immunoglobulins on protein electrophoresis of cerebrospinal fluid. Each band is in a protein secreted by plasma cells.
The presence of oligoclonal bands in spinal fluid often indicates a disease of the central nervous system if the bands are not also found in blood serum. The presence of one band (a monoclonal band) is not considered serious and may simply be normal. More bands may reflect pathology. The bands usually disappear from the spinal fluid as a person recovers from the neurological disease.
Approximately 90% of all patients with multiple sclerosis have these bands. For those who possibly have the disease, these bands are an important indicator. The bands are permanent in these patients.
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