Clinical spectrum of the anti-GQ1b antibody syndrome: a case series of eight patients

A Rare Association Between Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and Miller-Fisher Syndrome

The etiopathogenesis for Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and Miller-Fisher syndrome (MFS), a variant of GBS, is well-documented in the literature. However, the association between MFS and an underlying herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection is very limited. We present a unique case of a 48-year-old man who developed diplopia, bilateral ptosis, and gait instability following an acute diarrheal illness and recurring cold sores. The patient was diagnosed with MFS precipitated by recurrent HSV-1 infection following a Campylobacter jejuni acute infection. The diagnosis of MFS was supported by a positive anti-GQ1b ganglioside immunoglobulin (Ig)G and abnormal MRI-enhancing lesions of the bilateral cranial nerves III and VI. Intravenous immunoglobulin and acyclovir produced a significant clinical response in the patient within the first 72 hours. Our case highlights the rare association between two pathogens and MFS and the importance of recognizing risk factors, symptomatology, and appropriate workup accompanying an atypical MFS case.

Acute Oropharyngeal Palsy Following Bilateral Adie's Tonic Pupils Associated with Anti-GT1a and GQ1b IgG Antibodies

A 36-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with complaints of dysphagia and photophobia. A neurological examination showed oropharyngeal palsy and bilateral mydriasis with loss of light reflexes in the absence of external ophthalmoplegia. Bilateral pupils were supersensitive to pilocarpine 0.1%, which was compatible with Adie's tonic pupils. Serum IgG reacted with GQ1b, GT1a, GalNAc-GD1a, and GD3. Intravenous high-dose immunoglobulin therapy improved his neurological symptoms within three weeks. To our knowledge, there is no medical literature describing acute oropharyngeal palsy with Adie's tonic pupils. We recommend evaluating antiganglioside antibodies to clarify the cause of oropharyngeal palsy and Adie's tonic pupils.

Weakness in both lower limbs for 1 week and blepharoptosis for 3 days in a boy aged 1 year and 7 months

A boy, aged 1 year and 7 months, was hospitalized due to weakness in both lower limbs and blepharoptosis, which showed progressive aggravation and developed into irregular breathing. Neurological examinations showed lethargy, blepharoptosis, grade 4 muscle strength of both upper limbs, grade 3 muscle strength of both lower limbs, and disappearance of tendon reflex. Laboratory tests revealed albuminocytological dissociation in cerebrospinal fluid, disappearance of H reflex, and positive serum anti-GD1b IgG. The boy was finally diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) overlapping with Miller-Fisher syndrome and Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis. He recovered and was discharged after treatment including immunoglobulin, plasma exchange, and respiratory support. The GBS overlap syndromes in children have strong clinical heterogeneity due to the injury of both peripheral nerve and brainstem, among which anti-GD1b antibody-related GBS overlap syndromes have special clinical manifestations and complex neuroelectrophysiological changes and are thus difficult to diagnose. Nerve conduction velocity tests, especially H reflex test, should be performed for children with weakness in both lower limbs and blepharoptosis.

Clinical and antibodies analysis of anti-GQ1b antibody syndrome: a case series of 15 patients

Objectives

To investigate the clinical manifestations, immunity, laboratory test, treatment and prognosis of patients with anti-GQ1b antibody syndrome in Chongqing, China.

Methods

We reviewed 15 patients with positive anti-ganglioside antibodies in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from 2016 to 2019.

Results

Fifteen patients were included in the study (mean age, 54.4 years; age range, 27 to 80 years; 9 men (60%)). Ten patients presented with a history of preinfection, including flu-like syndrome (n = 6, 60%), upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) (n = 3, 30%), and digestive tract infection (GI) (n = 1, 10%). The most common manifestation was ophthalmoplegia (n = 13, 86.67%), followed by weakness (n = 12, 80%), ataxia (n = 11, 73.3%), paresthesia (n = 8, 53.33%) and hypersomnolence (n = 5, 33.33%). All 15 patients underwent antibody testing. Eight patients (53.33%, 7 men (87.5%)) of whom only have positive immunoglobulin G (IgG) against anti-GQ1b antibody while seven (46.67%, 2 men (28.57%)) were positive for multiple anti-ganglioside antibodies apart from anti-GQ1b antibodies. Nine patients (60%) received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy, four (26.67%) received plasma exchange (PE) and two (13.33%) received steroid therapy. Three patients were lost to follow-up at 6 months, 1 patient (6.67%) had persistent back numbness, and the other 11 patients (73.33%) had fully recovered.

Conclusion

The clinical subtype of anti-GQ1b antibody syndrome correlates with the type of anti-ganglioside antibody. Patients who test positive for only anti-GQ1b antibody are more likely to be men. Most patients exhibit a unidirectional course with a good prognosis, but anti-GQ1b antibody syndrome is also associated with a risk of recurrence.

Graves' disease with anti-GQ1b antibody syndrome: a rare case report

BACKGROUND

Graves' disease and anti-GQ1b antibody syndrome are both autoimmune diseases, and there have been few reports on whether there is a correlation between the two. In this study, we present the case of a woman who was diagnosed with Graves' disease and anti-GQ1b antibody syndrome in succession.

CASE PRESENTATION

The chief complaints of this patient were limb weakness and blurred vision. Graves' disease was diagnosed by examination of thyroid function and thyroid autoantibodies, but the clinical symptoms were not relieved after antihyperthyroidism treatment. Finally, it was found that Graves' disease was complicated by anti-GQ1b antibody syndrome, and the symptoms were relieved after treatment with glucocorticoids and intravenous immunoglobulin. We also explored the possible mechanism of these diseases through a literature review.

CONCLUSIONS

We report a rare case of the cooccurrence of Graves' disease and anti-GQ1b antibody syndrome. Immune dysregulation might be the pathogenesis of the association, but there is no precise supporting evidence, and more research is needed.

Altered mental status in "Guillain-Barré syndrome" -a noteworthy clinical clue

Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) is widely regarded as a “pure” peripheral nervous system disorder. However, this simplistic interpretation belies the fact that central nervous system involvement, often manifesting as derangements in mental status can occur as a complication of the “pure” form of the disorder, as part of GBS variants, as well as in a number of mimic disorders. Despite being common in clinical practice, there is no guidance in the literature as to how to approach such scenarios. Herein, we detail our approach to these cases.

What did he eat?

A 13-year-old boy reported acute horizontal binocular diplopia and headache. Ten days before these symptoms he suffered from a gastrointestinal infection. Ophthalmological examination revealed bilateral ophthalmoparesis and diffuse hyporeflexia. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was normal. Lumbar puncture revealed albumin-cytological dissociation. There were no anti-GQ1b antibodies, but serum anti-GM1 antibodies were detected. He received intravenous immunoglobulins and had fully recovered two weeks later. Miller Fisher syndrome and its atypical variants are uncommon in childhood; nevertheless, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of bilateral acute ophthalmoparesis.