title: Sialosyl-galactose: a common denominator of Guillain-Barré and related disorders?
abstract: The immune reactivity implicated in the pathogenesis of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and related diseases, which occur following infection with specific strains of Campylobacter jejuni bearing sialylated lipopolysaccharide structures that cross-react with specific gangliosides, is consistent with provocation of inflammation via molecular mimicry. In this review, we have focused upon microbial characteristics and structures, the fine structure of the essential carbohydrate determinants, and the application of our proposed criteria, modified from those of Koch for causation of infectious and of Witebsky for autoimmune diseases, to the circumstance of infectious induction of autoimmune disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. anthonymoran@nuigalway.ie
authors.forename: Anthony P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Moran
authors.forename: Martina M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Prendergast
authors.forename: Edward L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Hogan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D003429:Cross Reactions / Q000276:immunology; D005690:Galactose / Q000276:immunology; D005732:Gangliosides / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D020275:Guillain-Barre Syndrome / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D005732:Gangliosides; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid; D005690:Galactose