GQ1b antibody testing in Guillain-Barre syndrome and variants

Abstract

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is characterized by an ascending muscle paralysis with progressive loss of muscle stretch reflexes. Annually, approximately 2.4 cases per 100,000 population of GBS are reported. Variant forms do exist. These include the Fisher syndrome, GBS with ophthalmoplegia, Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis (BBE), and acute ophthalmoparesis without ataxia. In the last 15 years, attention has been directed towards the association of the GQ1b IgG antibody and several GBS variants, particularly the Fisher syndrome and those associated with ophthalmoparesis. We present three cases of GBS variants. All three cases had associated ophthalmoplegia but only one of the three had a positive GQ1b antibody association.