ASSOCIATION BETWEEN GLYCOCONJUGATE ANTIBODIES AND CAMPYLOBACTER INFECTION IN PATIENTS WITH GUILLAIN-BARRE-SYNDROME

In a retrospective study, we have analysed sera from a well-characterised Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) patient group for antibodies that react with gangliosides. Of 95 GBS patients and 85 control patients analysed, we found that 14 (15%) of GBS patients but only one control patient had antibodies that react with the gangliosides G(M1) and/or G(D1b) but not G(M2), G(D1a) and G(T1b) using a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This pattern of reactivity suggests binding to the carbohydrate structure Gal(beta-1-3)GalNAc which is shared between some glycolipids and glycoproteins. Similar antibodies have been found previously in a subpopulation of patients with lower motor neuron disease. In the present study, the predominant immunoglobulin class of these anti-glycoconjugate antibodies was IgG rather than IgM. A correlation was found between the presence of these antibodies and prognosis in terms of disability at 3 and 12 months after presentation. Patients with anti-glycoconjugate antibodies also had a higher incidence of previous Campylobacter infections than the rest of the patient group, although the significance of this remains to be determined.