Cytomegalovirus as a frequent cause of Guillain-Barré syndrome

J Med Virol. 1977;1(1):21-7. doi: 10.1002/jmv.1890010105.

Abstract

In 10 patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome a preceeding cytomegalovirus infection could be demonstrated by virus-specific IgM antibodies that were present in high titers in 9 of the 10 patients in the first serum specimen. The IgM antibodies to cytomegalovirus were detected by a sensitive "double" indirect immunofluorescence technique. In most of our cases (8 of 10) the complement-fixing antibody titers had already reached high levels on admission into a hospital, and significant titer changes were not observed. Cytomegalovirus was isolated from the urine of five patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / analysis
  • Child, Preschool
  • Complement Fixation Tests
  • Cytomegalovirus / immunology
  • Cytomegalovirus / isolation & purification
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / complications*
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / analysis
  • Immunoglobulin M / analysis
  • Male
  • Polyradiculopathy / etiology*
  • Polyradiculopathy / immunology
  • Urine / microbiology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M