Association between glycoconjugate antibodies and Campylobacter infection in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Autor(es): Walsh F S,Cronin M,Koblar S,Doherty P,Winer J,Leon A,Hughes R A


Resumo: In a retrospective study, we have analysed sera from a well-characterised Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) patient group for antibodies that react with gangliosides. Of 95 GBS patients and 85 control patients analysed, we found that 14 (15%) of GBS patients but only one control patient had antibodies that react with the gangliosides GM1 and/or GD1b but not GM2, GD1a and GT1b using a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This pattern of reactivity suggests binding to the carbohydrate structure Gal(beta 1-3)GalNAc which is shared between some glycolipids and glycoproteins. Similar antibodies have been found previously in a subpopulation of patients with lower motor neuron disease. In the present study, the predominant immunoglobulin class of these anti-glycoconjugate antibodies was IgG rather than IgM. A correlation was found between the presence of these antibodies and prognosis in terms of disability at 3 and 12 months after presentation. Patients with anti-glycoconjugate antibodies also had a higher incidence of previous Campylobacter infections than the rest of the patient group, although the significance of this remains to be determined.


Imprenta: Journal of Neuroimmunology, v. 34, n. 1, p. 43-51, 1991


Identificador do objeto digital: 10.1016/0165-5728(91)90097-Q


Descritores: Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Cytopathology ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Pathogenesis ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Proteins ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Antibodies ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Immunology


Data de publicação: 1991