ANTI-GM1 ANTIBODIES IN POLYNEUROPATHIES OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN

This study was undertaken to determine whether anti-GM1 titres are rai sed in polyneuropathies of unknown origin and whether determination of these titres is useful for diagnosing these conditions. The study pop ulation comprised 20 controls (aged 36-88 years), 12 patients with pol yneuropathies of known origin (aged 31-81 years) and 15 patients with polyneuropathies of unknown origin (aged 40-77 years). Antibody levels were measured using a commercial GM1 enzyme Linked immunosorbent assa y kit (Buehlmann Laboratories). Mean anti-GM1 IgG and IgM, antibody ti tres were not raised in patients with polyneuropathies of unknown orig in. Anti-GM1 IgG antibody titres were raised in one and GM1 IgM antibo dy titres in none of the patients with polyneuropathies of unknown ori gin. In conclusion, GM1 antibody levels are rarely raised in polyneuro pathies of unknown origin and probably play a minor role in the pathog enesis of these conditions.