Cytomegalovirus infections and anti-GM2 antibodies in Guillain-Barré syndrome. Issue 6 (June 1997)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jacobs, B C; van Doorn, P A; Groeneveld, J H; Tio-Gillen, A P; van der Meché, F G
• Is Part Of: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry. Volume 62:Issue 6(1997)
• Page Start: 641
• Page End: 643
• Publication Date: 1997-06
• Subjects: Neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.62.6.641
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3050

Abstract

Abstract : To investigate whether antecedent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome are associated with the presence of specific antiganglioside antibodies, acute phase serum samples from 130 patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome and 200 controls were tested. Anti-GM2 IgM antibodies were found more often in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome with CMV infection (22%) than in patients without the infection (2%) (P = 0.003). CMV infections may elicit anti-GM2 antibodies in susceptible patients, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with CMV.