Haemophilus influenzae has a GM1 ganglioside-like structure and elicits Guillain-Barré syndrome

Neurology. 1999 Apr 12;52(6):1282-4. doi: 10.1212/wnl.52.6.1282.

Abstract

The authors report a patient with an axonal Guillain-Barré syndrome (acute motor axonal neuropathy) associated with anti-GM1 antibody after Haemophilus influenzae infection. The result of ELISA inhibition studies and cytochemical staining with cholera toxin suggest the presence of a GM1-like structure on the surface of H. influenzae isolated from the patient. A particular strain of H. influenzae may have a GM1-like structure and may elicit an axonal Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • G(M1) Ganglioside / immunology*
  • Haemophilus Infections / complications*
  • Haemophilus influenzae / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neural Conduction / physiology
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy / complications
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy / immunology*
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy / physiopathology

Substances

  • G(M1) Ganglioside