HUMORAL IMMUNE-RESPONSE AGAINST CAMPYLOBACTER-JEJUNI LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDES IN GUILLAIN-BARRE AND MILLER-FISHER-SYNDROME

In this study we characterized the IgG antibodies against lipopolysacc harides (LPS) of Campylobacter jejuni in serum from patients with Guil lain-Barre syndrome (GBS), Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS), C. jejuni ent eritis and normal controls. In patients with GBS and MFS ion-lasting t iters of IgG1 and IgG3 antibodies against LPS from GBS and MFS associa ted C. jejuni were found. The subclass and course of these antibodies were highly associated with those of antibodies against GM1 and GQ1b i n GBS and MFS patients. However, in C. jejuni enteritis and normal con trols anti-LPS antibodies were predominantly IgG2. Antibody binding wi th LPS was reduced after treatment with choleratoxin and sialidases, s uggesting that the ganglioside-like epitopes in LPS are immunodominant . These results further indicate that antecedent C. jejuni infections determine the specificity and isotype of anti-ganglioside antibodies i n GBS and MFS patients. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.