Immunoadsorption therapy for Fisher syndrome associated with IgG anti-GQ1b antibody.

PURPOSE

To describe the effects of immunoadsorption therapy with a tryptophan-immobilized column on Fisher syndrome associated with IgG anti-GQ1b ganglioside antibody.

METHODS

Three patients with Fisher syndrome and with a high serum IgG anti-GQ1b antibody titer underwent four to nine sessions of immunoadsorption therapy with a tryptophan-immobilized column. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we determined the differences in IgG anti-GQ1b antibody titers.

RESULTS

ELISA disclosed that the IgG anti-GQ1b antibody titers of the serum samples collected from the inlet of the column were markedly higher than those collected from the outlet for all three patients. Moreover, after completion of the immunoadsorption therapy, the patients' serum IgG anti-GQ1b antibody titers were markedly lower than they were before the immunoadsorption therapy. The patients' ophthalmoparesis decreased in severity during the therapy.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that immunoadsorption therapy with the tryptophan-immobilized column is an effective method for removing IgG anti-GQ1b antibody from serum.