Anti-Ganglioside antibodies in Guillain-Barre Syndrome : Do They indicate Prognosis?

This study aimed to detect anti-ganglioside antibodies in the sera of patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome and correlate their presence with clinical features, electrophysiological studies and outcome. Twenty patients with GBS were evaluated clinically and electrophysiologically. Serological assays for antibodies against GM1, GD1a and GD1b gangliosides were carried out by ELISA, Twelve patients tested positive; two had antibodies against all three gangliosides, one against both GM1 and GD1a, one against GM1, GD1a or GD1b alone were seen in two, five and one patient respectively. No significant correlation was noted between the presence or type of antibody with clinical features, electrophysiological findings and outcome.