Neuropathy and anti-MAG antibodies without detectable serum M-protein

Neurology. 1984 Feb;34(2):218-21. doi: 10.1212/wnl.34.2.218.

Abstract

Anti-MAG IgM antibodies were detected by ELISA in a patient with slowly progressive peripheral neuropathy. Serum IgM content was normal, and no M-protein was detected by serum protein electrophoresis, immunoelectrophoresis, or immunostaining. By immunoblot analysis, the anti-MAG antibodies were IgMk; they reacted with human and bovine MAG but not with mouse MAG. The data suggest that there was an anti-MAG IgM M-protein in concentration too low to be detected by conventional techniques. Tests for anti-MAG antibodies should be done in patients with slowly progressive neuropathy of unknown etiology, even in the absence of detectable serum M-protein.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / analysis*
  • Blood Proteins / analysis*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin M / immunology
  • Male
  • Myelin Proteins / immunology*
  • Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / blood
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic
  • Blood Proteins
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Myelin Proteins
  • Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein