Association between glycoconjugate antibodies and Campylobacter infection in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome.
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.
Walsh
F S
FS
Department of Experimental Pathology, U.M.D.S., Guy's Hospital, London, U.K.
Cronin
M
M
Koblar
S
S
Doherty
P
P
Winer
J
J
Leon
A
A
Hughes
R A
RA
D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside / Q000276:immunology; D005732:Gangliosides / Q000276:immunology; D006001:Glycoconjugates / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D009420:Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D011129:Polyradiculoneuropathy / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology
D000906:Antibodies; D005732:Gangliosides; D006001:Glycoconjugates; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; C033851:ganglioside, GD1b; D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside