The association between Campylobacter jejuni infection and Guillain Barre syndrome

Infection with Campylobacter jejuni, a common enteric pathogen, may be one of the major causes of Guillain Barrd Syndrome (GBS), a neurological disease of humans. Antibodies produced in rabbits against different Campylobacter jejuni strains, commonly incriminated in Guillain Barrd Syndrome (GBS) were tested in two experimental systems to quantify their effects on peripheral nerve function and neurons. The effect of these antiserum antibodies on peripheral nerve function was determined (in vivo) in Sprague-Dawley rats using electrophysiological measurements of the femoral nerve prior to injection of antiserum (Day 0) and on Days 2, 7, and 14 after injection. The results indicated that serum antibodies against certain strains of C. jejuni affect peripheral nerve function and react immunologically in particular neural cell lines. To test the effects of these antibodies on neurons, 7 cultured human neural cell lines were evaluated for reactivity with 7 different anti-C. jejuni sera by indirect immunofluorescence. To determine the prevalence of GBS and possible sources of organisms associated with GBS in Maritime Canada and to assess whether certain strains of C. jejuni are significantly associated with GBS, a retrospective study of GBS patients and suitable controls was completed. Differences in 10 patients and matched control groups were analysed. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).