Immunological predictors for the outcome in patients with antibody-mediated autoimmune encephalitis

We investigated the immunological outcome predictors in patients with antibody-mediated autoimmune encephalitis. A severe disability on admission, a low lymphocyte count, including T, B, and T + B + NK (TBNK) cells, an elevated neutrophil (%) and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) could predict poor prognoses. The increased neutrophils (%) and NLR with the decreased eosinophil percent and count were sensitive (>0.8) in predicting severe disabilities, while the declined total T cell count, lymphocyte percent and count were specific (>0.9). TBNK cell count had a balanced sensitivity and specificity (both>0.8). Patients with autoimmune encephalitis with poor outcomes are immunologically distinct from those with good recoveries.