Marburg Variant of Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Report

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disorder with central nervous system (CNS) involvement, leading to varied presentations. It is an autoimmune disease characterised by chronic inflammation, demyelination, gliosis (plaques or scarring) and neuronal loss with relapsing or progressive course. MS plaques typically develop at different times and in different CNS locations (i.e., MS is said to be disseminated in time and space). The clinical course is extremely variable, ranging from a relatively benign condition to a rapidly evolving and incapacitating disease requiring profound lifestyle adjustments. MacDonald’s criteria are frequently used to diagnose MS. Rapidly, evolving severe forms of MS such as Marburg’s variant and Balo’s concentric sclerosis account for <4% of total incidence of MS. The clinical course is rapid and often fatal. The exact aetiology behind this malignant nature of Marburg’s variant MS is unknown. In this case report, we will be discussing one such rare presentation of Marburg variant of MS.