A case of anti-GA1 antibody-positive Fisher syndrome with elevated tau protein in cerebrospinal fluid

Brain Dev. 2012 Apr;34(4):329-32. doi: 10.1016/j.braindev.2011.06.007. Epub 2011 Jul 13.

Abstract

We describe a boy with Fisher syndrome. He presented the typical symptoms of Fisher syndrome, including external ophthalmoplegia, abnormality of convergence, and areflexia, after an episode of Campylobacter enterocolitis. Atypically, however, anti-GA1 antibody was detected in his serum, though anti-GQ1b and anti-GT1a antibodies were not. In addition, the tau protein level in his cerebrospinal fluid was elevated. Generally, Fisher syndrome is a self-limiting disease and has a good prognosis. In our patient, however, mild diplopia and areflexia persisted 6 months after their onset. Here, we report on the first Fisher syndrome patient with anti-GA1 antibody in the serum and elevated tau protein in the cerebrospinal fluid.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Autoantibodies / biosynthesis*
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / immunology
  • Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / microbiology
  • Campylobacter Infections / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Campylobacter Infections / immunology
  • Child
  • Gangliosides / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Miller Fisher Syndrome / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Miller Fisher Syndrome / immunology
  • Miller Fisher Syndrome / microbiology
  • Up-Regulation / immunology
  • tau Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • tau Proteins / blood
  • tau Proteins / cerebrospinal fluid*

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • G(A1) ganglioside
  • Gangliosides
  • tau Proteins