Further comparisons of assays for detecting MAG IgM autoantibodies

Anti-MAG antibodies are commonly found in the sera of patients with demyelinating sensorimotor neuropathy and IgM paraproteinemia. Our objective here was to compare MAG results obtained by two different laboratories using similar methods (Western blot, EIA, IFA). Western blot (WB) employing MAG from monkey was less sensitive (72.5%) than myelin IFA (92.5%; monkey nerve) and EIA (97.5%; human MAG) when compared to WB using human MAG and is most likely due to methodology (not antigen source). EIA detected low titers of MAG IgM antibodies in suspected patient sera (negative by other methods) that were also SGPG IgM-positive. Patients having low titers by EIA, but negative by WB may have other autoimmune neuropathies without demyelination.