Serum anti‐GQ 1b IgG antibodies recognize surface epitopes on Campylobacter jejuni from patients with Miller Fisher syndrome

Three patients who had diarrhea prior to the development of Miller Fisher syndrome are presented. Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from stool specimens from all patients. High titers of anti‐GQ 1b IgG antibodies were demonstrated in the serum of these patients by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and thin‐layer chromatography overlay. In enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay inhibition studies the anti‐GQ 1b IgG antibodies bound specifically to whole bacteria of the Miller Fisher syndrome–associated C. jejuni strains. The presence of anti‐GQ 1b IgG binding epitopes on the surface of the C. jejuni from the patients was not exclusively associated with a specific Penner serotype. It is suggested that anti‐GQ 1b antibodies are formed during the initial infection that elicits Miller Fisher syndrome. The cross‐reactivity of anti‐GQ 1b IgG antibodies with surface epitopes on Miller Fisher syndrome–associated C. jejuni strains supports the hypothesis of molecular mimicry between bacteria and neural tissue.