Antibodies to chondroitin sulfates A, B, and C: clinico-pathological correlates in neurological diseases

Anti-chondroitin sulfates (ChSs) antibodies have been reported in neuropath y and neurodegenerative diseases. Differences in specificities may account for their association with different diseases. Sera from 303 neurological p atients were tested fur antibodies to ChSs A, B, C. Titers greater than or equal to 51,200 were found in 16 patients (eight peripheral neuropathy, thr ee motor neuron disease, four multiple sclerosis, one myelitis). Three pati ents also had anti-sulfatides antibodies, which in two cases cross-reacted with ChSs. By indirect immunofluorescence, positive sera stained nuclei on normal human peripheral nerve sections. These findings indicate that human anti-ChSs antibodies are broadly reactive and not specific to any neurologi cal disease. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.