Rinsho Shinkeigaku (Clinical Neurology)

Brief Clinical Note

An elderly case of Guillain-Barré syndrome with anti-GT1b antibodies

Masato Kinboshi, M.D., Ph.D.1), Yuko Morimoto, M.D.1), Takeshi Yoshida, M.D.2), Daisuke Kuzume, M.D.1) and Masahiro Yamasaki, M.D.1)

1)Department of Neurology, Chikamori Hospital
2)Department of Rheumatology, Chikamori Hospital

An 85-year-old Japanese female was admitted with sudden onset of quadriparesis with areflexia. Preceding infection was not present. IgG anti-GT1b antibodies were prominently positive in serum. Nerve conduction study results suggested Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) classified as acute motor sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN). While intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) was started, bulbar palsy and respiratory failure progressed and the condition deteriorated. Although mechanical ventilation was required, second IVIg course led to gradual improvement of quadriparesis and bulbar palsy. In the present case with elderly-onset disease, the levels of anti-GT1b antibodies were elevated, which is relatively rare in GBS. It was suggested that anti-GT1b antibodies may be related to the development of axonal GBS with bulbar palsy.
Full Text of this Article in Japanese PDF (1999K)

(CLINICA NEUROL, 59: 600|603, 2019)
key words: Guillain-Barré syndrome, anti-ganglioside antibody, anti-GT1b antibody, elderly onset, intravenous immunoglobulin

(Received: 26-Mar-19)