IMMUNOADSORPTION THERAPY FOR FISHER SYNDROME-ASSOCIATED WITH IGG ANTI-GQ(1B) ANTIBODY

PURPOSE: To describe the effects of immunoadsorption therapy with a tr yptophan immobilized column on Fisher syndrome associated with IgG ant i GR(1b) ganglioside antibody. METHODS: Three patients with Fisher syn drome and with a high serum IgG anti-GQ(1b) antibody titer underwent f our to nine sessions of immunoadsorption therapy with a tryptophan imm obilized column. Using enzyme linked immunosorbent as say (ELISA), we determined the differences in IgG anti-GQ(1b) antibody titers. RESULTS : ELISA disclosed that the IgG anti-GQ(1b) antibody titers of the seru m samples collected from the inlet of the column were markedly higher than those collected from the outlet for all three patients. Moreover, after completion of the immunoadsorption therapy, the patients' serum IgG anti-GQ(1b) antibody titers were markedly lower than they were be fore the immunoadsorption therapy. The patients' ophthalmoparesis decr eased in severity during the therapy. CONCLUSION: These findings sugge st that immunoadsorption therapy with the tryptophan immobilized colum n is an effective method for removing IgG anti-GQ(1b) antibody from se rum. (C) 1998 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.