IgM anti-GM1 antibodies in the Guillain-Barre syndrome: A serological predictor of the clinical course

It has been suggested that antibodies against GM1 are involved in the pathogenesis of the Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). Recently, we have developed a standardized ELISA assay for anti-GM1 antibodies of IgM type well-suited for longitudinal patient studies. The relationship between serum antibodies against GM1 and Campylobacter jejuni was investigated in patients with GBS and in patients with C. jejuni infection. Patients with a short-lasting anti-GM1 elevation had a fast recovery, whereas patients with slow recovery had a long-lasting anti-GM1 elevation. A linear relationship was found between significant clinical recovery and the time until the anti-GM1 peak was halved (R = 0.9, p < 0.01). The absolute level of anti-GM1 did not predict the length of the recovery nor was the level of anti-GM1 related to the clinical disability at its nadir. Our data indicate that monitoring of the IgM anti-GM1 level can predict clinical recovery in GBS patients.