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Anti-GM1 antibodies in Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis
Claire Hall1, Milan Hargovan-Lalloo2, Eleanor Taylor3
1General Medicine, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK claire.hall38@nhs.net.
BMJ Case Reports
|February 4, 2026
Summary
This study reports a rare case of Bickerstaff
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis (BBE) is a rare neurological disorder.
- Campylobacter infection is a known trigger for Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).
- The association between Campylobacter and BBE with anti-GM1 antibodies is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a unique case of BBE secondary to Campylobacter infection.
- To highlight the diagnostic findings in this specific case.
- To report the presence of anti-GM1 antibodies in this context.
Main Methods:
- Clinical diagnosis based on ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, reduced consciousness, and hyperreflexia.
- Exclusion of other potential pathologies.
- Supportive evidence from MRI, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and serological testing.
Main Results:
- A confirmed case of BBE was diagnosed.
- The patient presented with classical BBE symptoms.
- Serological testing revealed positive anti-ganglioside IgG GM1 antibodies.
Conclusions:
- This is the first reported case of BBE secondary to Campylobacter infection with positive anti-GM1 antibodies.
- This finding expands the understanding of Campylobacter-associated neurological syndromes.
- Further research is warranted to explore the role of anti-GM1 antibodies in Campylobacter-induced BBE.
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