<b>Haemophilus influenzae</b> has a GM1 ganglioside-like structure and elicits Guillain–Barre syndrome

Abstract

The authors report a patient with an axonal Guillain-Barré syndrome (acute motor axonal neuropathy) associated with anti-GM1 antibody after Haemophilus influenzae infection. The result of ELISA inhibition studies and cytochemical staining with cholera toxin suggest the presence of a GM1-like structure on the surface of H. influenzae isolated from the patient. A particular strain of H. influenzae may have a GM1-like structure and may elicit an axonal Guillain-Barré syndrome.