Serum and cerebrospinal fluid immune complexes containing hepatitis B surface antigen in Guillain-Barré syndrome.
A 76-yr-old male presented with Guillain-Barré syndrome after acute hepatitis B virus infection. Main immunologic features were: (a) high levels of circulating hepatitis B surface antigen-containing immune complexes in serum and cerebrospinal fluid during the acute neurologic syndrome, and (b) clearance of immune-complex material with recovery. Our data indicate that these immune complexes in cerebrospinal fluid reflect leakage from the systemic circulation via a deranged blood-brain barrier and are not generated in the cerebrospinal compartment. Possibly deposition of such immune complexes along nerve structures is important in the immunopathogenesis of some cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome.
D000368:Aged; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011129:Polyradiculoneuropathy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D003176:Complement C3; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens