Balo's disease is a rare progressive form of multiple sclerosis with a strong viral association that primarily affects young adults. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an instigative disease of the Central Nervous System (CNS).
Predominantly, it is a disease of the "white matter" tissue. The white matter is made up of nerve fibres which are responsible for transmitting communication signals both internally within the CNS and between the CNS and the nerves supplying rest of the body. In people affected by MS, patches of damage called plaques or lesions appear in seemingly random areas of the CNS white matter.
Balo Disease is different in that it tends to be evenly progressive. Symptoms may include headache, seizures, gradual paralysis, involuntary muscle spasms, and cognitive loss. The symptoms of Balo Disease vary, according to the areas of the brain that are affected. Symptoms may progress rapidly over several weeks or more slowly over two to three years. Symptoms may progress over a period ranging from several weeks to 2-3 years. Often, disability and death occur within months although recently there have been reports of a self-limiting form of Balo’s disease with some remission.
Balo’s disease is most common in Chinese and Philippino populations. Baló-like lesions may either dissolve over time or transform into an MS-like lesion. Balo disease are often controlled with corticosteroids. In cases where a viral trigger is suspected, antiviral medications are often used. Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy has also shown benefits.Immunoglobulins are proteins manufactured in the body that the immune system uses to produce antibodies and various factors, which are used to communicate with immune system cells and modify the immune reaction.
There are 4 immunoglobulin subtypes, immunoglobulin M (IgM), immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG or gamma globulin) and immunoglobulin E (IgE). Mitoxantrone has shown positive effects in patients with a secondary progressive and progressive relapsing courses. It is moderately effective in reducing the progression of the disease and the frequency of relapses in patients in short-term follow-up. Glatiramer medication is an alternative to beta interferons if you have relapsing remitting MS.
