Anti-GM1 IgG Antibodies In Guillain-BarrE Syndrome: Fine Specificity is Associated with Disease Severity

LARDONE RD,; YUKI N; ODAKA M; DANIOTTI JL; IRAZOQUI FJ; NORES GA

B M J PUBLISHING GROUP

Año: 2010 vol. 81 p. 629 - 629

p>BACKGROUND: Clinical severity of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is highly variable, but the immunopathological reason is unknown. OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to show which antibody parameters are associated with disease severity in GBS patients with serum anti-GM(1) IgG antibodies. METHODS: Thirty-four GBS patients with anti-GM(1) IgG antibodies were grouped into two categories according to disease severity at nadir: mild (grades 1 to 3 by Hughes functional scale, n = 13) and severe (grades 4 and 5, n = 21). Titer, affinity, fine specificity, and cell binding of anti-GM(1) antibodies were obtained and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: No differences in antibody titer (GM(1)-ELISA) or affinity were found between the two patient groups. In contrast, the severe group showed a significantly higher frequency (95%, vs. 46% in the mild group, p < 0.003) of specific (not cross-reacting with GD(1b)) anti-GM(1) antibodies. In addition, the severe group also exhibited a higher