Autoantibodies to GM1b and GalNAc-GD1a: relationship to Campylobacter jejuni infection and acute motor axonal neuropathy in China

J Neurol Sci. 1999 Apr 1;164(2):134-8. doi: 10.1016/s0022-510x(99)00056-8.

Abstract

IgG antibodies to the minor gangliosides GM1b and GalNAc-GD1a frequently are present in sera of Japanese patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome. The relationship between these autoantibodies and Campylobacter jejuni infection, the type of disease (acute motor axonal neuropathy [AMAN], or acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy [AIDP]) has yet to be established. Sera samples were obtained from 55 Chinese patients with clinically defined Guillain-Barré syndrome. An electrophysiology study showed nine AIDP, 28 had AMAN, and 18 unclassified. C. jejuni serology was positively correlated with anti-GM1b and anti-GalNAc-GD1a IgG antibodies (respective P values, 0.007 and 0.02). The frequencies of positive anti-GM1b and anti-GalNAc-GD1a serology were greater in AMAN (32 and 21%) than in AIDP (11 and 0%), but the differences were not significant. Infection by C. jejuni may induce IgG anti-GM1b antibody in some patients and IgG anti-GalNAc-GD1a antibody in others. A larger population of patients must be studied to show whether there is a definite correlation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Autoantibodies / analysis*
  • Axons / pathology
  • Campylobacter Infections / immunology*
  • Campylobacter jejuni*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • China
  • Female
  • G(M1) Ganglioside / immunology*
  • Gangliosides / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Neuron Disease / immunology*
  • Motor Neuron Disease / pathology
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy / immunology

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Gangliosides
  • G(M1) Ganglioside
  • IV(4)-galactosyl-N-acetylganglioside GD1a