SERUM ANTI-GQ(1B) IGG ANTIBODIES RECOGNIZE SURFACE EPITOPES ON CAMPYLOBACTER-JEJUNI FROM PATIENTS WITH MILLER-FISHER-SYNDROME

Three patients who had diarrhea prior to the development of Miller Fis her syndrome are presented. Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from sto ol specimens from all patients. High titers of anti-GQ(lb) IgG antibod ies were demonstrated in the serum of these patients by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and thin-layer chromatography overlay. In enzyme-l inked immunosorbent assay inhibition studies the anti-GQ(lb) IgG antib odies bound specifically to whole bacteria of the Miller Fisher syndro me-associated C. jejuni strains. The presence of anti-GQ(lb) IgG bindi ng epitopes on the surface of the C, jejuni from the patients was not exclusively associated with a specific Penner serotype. It is suggeste d that anti-GQ(lb) antibodies are formed during the initial infection that elicits Miller Fisher syndrome. The cross-reactivity of anti-GQ(l b) IgG antibodies with surface epitopes on Miller Fisher syndrome-asso ciated C. jejuni strains supports the hypothesis of molecular mimicry between bacteria and neural tissue.