Serum and CSF humoral immunity in Guillain-Barré syndrome: Clinical correlations

Paired samples of CSF and serum obtained from 29 patients affected with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) were analyzed for various protein levels, including immunoglobulins and complement components. An attempt was made to correlate these findings to the clinical stage, severity, and duration of the disease. Intrathecal IgG synthesis was detected and quantified by means of a previously reported formula. It is practically constant in the GBS during the stage of stabilized paralysis, and is significantly greater in this stage than in the stage of progressive paralysis. Moreover, it increases with severity and duration (longer than 3 months) of the disease. Evidence of intrathecal C 3 consumption is also presented.