Immunoglobulin abnormalities in the guillain-barré syndrome

Abstract

In the Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), increased concentrations of the immunoglobulins A and M, and less frequently of immunoglobulin G, expressed as a percentage of the total protein concentration were found in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The serum concentrations of these 3 immunoglobulins were normal. One or two discrete bands, probably consisting of oligoclonal immunoglobulins, were demonstrated in the γ region of serum and CSF in 8 of the 12 GBS patients investigated. The discrete serum and CSF γ bands have identical electrophoretic mobilities and are probably transient. High relative concentrations of the 3 immunoglobulins in CSF were especially found in specimens obtained early in the course of GBS; they varied independently of the relative albumin concentrations in CSF. These results indirectly point to a synthesis of the immunoglobulins G, A, and M within the central nervous system in GBS. The demonstration of quantitative immunoglobulin abnormalities and of discrete γ bands on electrophoresis is suggested as having diagnostic implications and also indirectly pointing to the involvement of humoral antibodies in GBS.