[Clinical peculiarities of optic neuritis and alterations of local immune response in patients with multiple sclerosis].

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a severe organic disease of the central nervous system (CNS) affecting mostly young people. Optic neuritis (ON) is one of the first manifestations of the disease in approximately 75% of cases. The autoimmune reactions to myelin antigens play a key role in ON pathogenesis of MS. The pro- and anti-inflammatory unbalance is the most important factor of the origin, development and stabilization of CNS changes. Presented are the data on alterations of the levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha, IF-gamma and antibodies to MBP and anti DNA in patient's tears. The clinical peculiarities of ON in MS correlating with immunological alterations are established.