Association of anti-GM1 antibodies but not of anti-cytomegalovirus, Campylobacter jejuni and Helicobacter pylori IgG, with a poor outcome in Guillain-Barré syndrome

J Neurol Sci. 2003 Sep 15;213(1-2):55-60. doi: 10.1016/s0022-510x(03)00149-7.

Abstract

Few reports exist on the influence of humoral immune responses, against microorganisms involved in infections preceding Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and GM1, on clinical outcome. Nor is there any data on the relation between anti-Helicobacter pylori antibodies and prognosis in patients with GBS. To address these questions, we assayed and correlated serum anti-GM1 IgG and IgM and anti-H. pylori, anti-Campylobacter jejuni and anti-cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgG with duration of hospitalization of GBS patients and prognosis at discharge. Patients with anti-GM1 alone or associated with anti-H. pylori antibodies had significant longer hospitalization to reach a low clinical score at discharge than those without (P=0.004). A significant difference was also found for the association of anti-GM1 with anti-CMV antibodies (P=0.019). A weak but significant association of anti-GM1 and anti-C. jejuni antibodies with long hospitalization and worse prognosis at discharge was also found (P=0.02). The statistical significance increased when patients with anti-GM1 and anti-microorganism antibodies were compared with those displaying anti-H. pylori or anti-CMV only. These findings provide further evidence that the level of circulating anti-GM1 IgG plays a role in determining recovery from disability in GBS patients irrespective of other IgG against microorganisms causing infections preceding GBS.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Campylobacter Infections / blood
  • Campylobacter Infections / immunology*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / blood
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / immunology*
  • Electrophysiology / methods
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Gangliosidosis, GM1 / blood
  • Gangliosidosis, GM1 / immunology*
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / blood
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / immunology*
  • Helicobacter Infections / blood
  • Helicobacter Infections / immunology*
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurogenic Inflammation / blood
  • Neurogenic Inflammation / immunology
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G