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Serological evidence for infection with Campylobacter jejuni/coli in patients with multifocal motor neuropathy

B V Taylor1, B A Phillips, B R Speed

  • 1Department of Neurology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia.

Journal of Clinical Neuroscience : Official Journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia
|July 23, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Campylobacter jejuni/coli (CJC) infections may trigger multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) by stimulating specific antibodies. This study found elevated CJC antibodies in most MMN patients, suggesting a potential link in disease development.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Campylobacter jejuni/coli (CJC) infections are known triggers for acute neuropathies like Guillain-Barré syndrome.
  • The role of CJC in chronic immune-mediated neuropathies, such as multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN), remains less understood.
  • Previous research suggests molecular mimicry between CJC and anti-ganglioside antibodies, which are implicated in some chronic motor neuropathies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and significance of anti-CJC antibodies in patients diagnosed with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN).
  • To explore the potential association between CJC infection and the immunopathogenesis of MMN.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective analysis was conducted on a cohort of seven patients with clinically and electrophysiologically confirmed MMN.
  • Serum samples from MMN patients were tested for specific IgG, IgM, and IgA antibodies against CJC lipopolysaccharides.
  • A control group of 140 healthy blood donors without a history of enteric illness was included for comparison.

Main Results:

  • Elevated titres of anti-CJC IgG antibodies were found in 5 out of 7 MMN patients.
  • Elevated anti-CJC IgM antibodies were detected in 3 out of 7 patients, and IgA in 1 out of 7.
  • At least one type of anti-CJC antibody was elevated in 6 out of 7 MMN patients, with 3 showing elevations in both IgG and IgM.

Conclusions:

  • Antibodies specific to Campylobacter jejuni/coli were found more frequently than expected in patients with multifocal motor neuropathy.
  • These findings suggest that prior or ongoing CJC infection may contribute to the immunopathogenesis of MMN.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms linking CJC infection to MMN development.

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