Axonal Guillain-Barré syndrome: relation to anti-ganglioside antibodies and Campylobacter jejuni infection in Japan

Ann Neurol. 2000 Oct;48(4):624-31.

Abstract

To clarify the relations of the axonal form of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) to anti-ganglioside antibodies and Campylobacter jejuni infection, 86 consecutive Japanese GBS patients were studied. Electrodiagnostic criteria showed acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy in 36% of the patients and acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) in 38%. Frequent anti-ganglioside antibodies were of the IgG class and against GM1 (40%), GD1a (30%), GalNAc-GD1a (17%), and GD1b (21%). Identified infections were C. jejuni (23%), cytomegalovirus (10%), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (6%), and Epstein-Barr virus (3%). There was a strong association between AMAN and IgG antibodies against GM1, GD1a, GalNAc-GD1a, or GD1b. Almost all the patients with at least one of these antibodies had the AMAN pattern or rapid resolution of conduction slowing/block possibly because of early-reversible changes on the axolemma. C. jejuni infection was frequently associated with AMAN or anti-ganglioside antibodies, but more than half of the patients with AMAN or anti-ganglioside antibodies were C. jejuni-negative. These findings suggest that the three phenomena "axonal dysfunctions (AMAN or early-reversible conduction failure)," "IgG antibodies against GM1, GD1a, GalNAc-GD1a, or GD1b," and "C. jejuni infection" are closely associated but that microorganisms other than C. jejuni frequently trigger an anti-ganglioside response and elicit axonal GBS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / immunology*
  • Campylobacter Infections / immunology*
  • Campylobacter Infections / physiopathology
  • Campylobacter jejuni / immunology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Electrodiagnosis
  • Gangliosides / blood
  • Gangliosides / immunology*
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / immunology*
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Middle Aged
  • Neural Conduction / immunology
  • Neural Conduction / physiology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic
  • Gangliosides