Autoimmune etiology of complex regional pain syndrome (M. Sudeck).
Sera of 12 patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) were tested for the occurrence of autoantibodies against nervous system structures. Immunohistochemistry revealed autoantibodies against autonomic nervous system structures in 5 of 12 (41.6%) of the patients. Western blot analysis showed neuronal reactivity in 11 of 12 (91.6%) patients. The authors hypothesize that CRPS can result from an autoimmune process against the sympathetic nervous system.
Blaes
F
F
Department of Neurology, Justus-Liebig-University, Am Steg 14, 35385 Giessen, Germany. franz.blaes@neuro.med.uni-giessen.de
Schmitz
K
K
Tschernatsch
M
M
Kaps
M
M
Krasenbrink
I
I
Hempelmann
G
G
Bräu
M E
ME
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D002460:Cell Line; D020918:Complex Regional Pain Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009197:Myenteric Plexus / Q000276:immunology; D009474:Neurons / Q000276:immunology; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000276:immunology*
D001323:Autoantibodies