Guillain-Barré syndrome in a local area in Japan, 2006-2015: an epidemiological and clinical study of 108 patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Many epidemiological studies of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and Fisher syndrome (FS) have been conducted in Europe and America. In contrast, epidemiological studies are rare in Asia where the GBS subtypes differ from those in Western countries. This study was undertaken to clarify the incidence of GBS and FS in a local area in Japan as well as their seasonal trends. METHOD: Seventy-one GBS and 37 FS patients were recorded from 2006 to 2015 in an area of approximately 1.5 million inhabitants in Japan. The incidence, seasonal trends and clinical features of GBS and FS were examined. RESULTS: The incidence rate of GBS was 0.42 cases per 100 000 person-years and that of FS was 0.22 cases per 100 000 person-years. The incidence of GBS increased with age and FS affected predominantly patients aged from 45 to 64 years old. There was some seasonal clustering of acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) and FS in spring and summer, but it was not significant. AMAN and FS patients had a high frequency of preceding infection (AMAN, 68% gastrointestinal infection; FS, 65% upper respiratory infection). Antecedent respiratory infection was significantly associated with FS as an outcome. Serum antibodies to ganglioside GM1 were detected in 71% of AMAN patients and antibodies to GQ1b were detected in 81% of FS patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our study offers evidence of a lower incidence of GBS and a higher incidence of FS in a local area in Japan than in Western countries.

WNK1/HSN2 founder mutation in patients with hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy: A Japanese cohort study.

The clinical and genetic spectrum of hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy (HSAN) is still unknown in Japan. We collected a broad cohort of 33 unrelated patients with predominant sensory and/or autonomic dysfunctions, who were referred to our genetic laboratory. A gene panel sequencing targeting 18 HSAN-related genes was performed using a next-generation sequencing system. A recurrent frame shift mutation in the WNK1/HSN2 gene, c.3237_3238insT (p.Asp1080*), was detected in 5 patients. This mutation was homozygous in 4 cases and of a compound heterozygous genotype in 1 case. Geographic and haplotype analysis of all 5 patients suggested a founder event. In addition, a novel heterozygous nonsense variant, c.2615C>G (p.Ser872*), was identified. All the 5 patients presented with severe sensory and autonomic dysfunctions at birth or during adolescence. In 2 patients, an uncommon phenotype of acute pathological pain presented at ~50 years of age. Here, we present the first founder mutation of WNK1/HSN2, in addition to French Canadian, which accounts for ~15.2% of Japanese patients with HSAN in our cohort. We have also reviewed all previously described mutations in WNK1/HSN2 and reconciled their nomenclature strategy on the basis of the current longest transcript.

A guide to facilitate the early treatment of patients with idiopathic demyelinating disease (multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica).

Definite diagnosis of inflammatory demyelinating disease (multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO)) may require time, but early treatment offers the opportunity to maximize patient outcomes. The purpose of this report is to provide guidance to facilitate early treatment decisions for patients with inflammatory demyelinating disease, before definitive diagnosis. Neurology experts reviewed the existing literature and clinical evidence. A treatment decision pathway was developed, defining patients for whom first-line MS disease-modifying therapies (a) are unlikely to be effective, (b) may be effective but require careful monitoring and (c) are likely to provide benefit. This algorithm seeks to ensure that patients, particularly those in Asia, receive appropriate treatment early in inflammatory demyelinating disease.

A comparative study of Video laryngoscope vs Macintosh laryngoscope for prehospital tracheal intubation in Hiroshima, Japan.

Background: In Japan, there are no studies comparing endotracheal intubation performed by emergency medical technicians (EMTs) during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) using a Macintosh laryngoscope and a video laryngoscope. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the success rate, complication rate, return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), neurological prognosis (CPC1-2) and regional differences between Video laryngoscope (VL) and Macintosh laryngoscope (ML) for OHCA patients. Method: This study is a retrospective cohort study using 10,067 OHCA data extracted from the national Utstein Form and emergency medical transport data. The primary endpoint was the success rate of tracheal intubation and the complication rate and the secondary endpoints were the incidence of ROSC and CPC1-2. Results: A total of 885 tracheal Intubated OHCA patients were enrolled in this study. The success rate was 94.1% (490/521) in the VL group and 89.3% (325/364) in the ML group (RR, 1.05; 95%CI, 1.01-1.10, P = 0.01), the VL group shows significantly higher success rate than that of the ML group. In the complication rates, oesophageal intubation occurred in 0.2% (1/521) of in the VL group and in 6.0% (22/364) in the ML group, Indicating significantly higher complication rates in the ML group compared with the VL group (RR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.03-1.09, P < 0.001). The ROSC rate and CPC1-2 rate are similar among the groups. Conclusion: Our data suggest that using VL had a little advantage with a higher success rate and lower complication rate. Further discussion is necessary for the future development of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) intubation devices.

Ganglioside complexes containing GQ1b as targets in Miller Fisher and Guillain-Barre syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Serum antibodies to GQ1b are associated with Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) with ophthalmoplegia. Antibodies to ganglioside complexes (GSCs) have not yet been examined in a large population of patients with MFS or GBS. This study aimed to determine the clinical significance of antibodies to GSCs in MFS and GBS. METHODS: The study investigated serum anti-GSC antibodies and the clinical features in 64 MFS patients, 53 GBS patients with ophthalmoplegia (GBS-OP(+)) and 53 GBS patients without ophthalmoplegia (GBS-OP(-)). RESULTS: Thirty patients with MFS (47%), 25 with GBS-OP(+) (47%) and none with GBS-OP(-) had antibodies to GSCs containing GQ1b or GT1a. Patients with MFS and GBS-OP(+) were subdivided according to the antibody reactivities; patients with antibodies specific to GQ1b and/or GT1a (without anti-GSCs antibodies) were placed in Group 1, those with antibodies against GSCs with a total of two sialic acids in the terminal residues, such as GQ1b/GM1, were placed in Group 2, and those with antibodies against GSCs with a total of three sialic acids in the terminal residue, such as GQ1b/GD1a, were placed in Group 3. In MFS, sensory disturbances were infrequent in Group 2 compared with the other groups (p<0.0001). Antibodies specific to GQ1b were observed more often in MFS than in GBS-OP(+) (p = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: IgG antibodies to GSCs containing GQ1b or GT1a were closely associated with the development of ophthalmoplegia in GBS, as well as MFS. Both GQ1b and clustered epitopes of GSCs containing GQ1b or GT1a may be prime target antigens for MFS and GBS-OP(+).

Anti-ganglioside complex antibodies associated with severe disability in GBS.

Ganglioside complexes (GSCs) are known as target antigens in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). To elucidate the clinical importance of the anti-GSC antibodies in GBS, we investigated serum antibodies to GSCs containing two of the gangliosides, GM1, GD1a, GD1b and GT1b, and analyzed clinical features of anti-GSC-positive GBS patients. Thirty-nine (17%) of 234 GBS patients had IgG anti-GSC antibodies. Anti-GSC-positive GBS had antecedent gastrointestinal infection and lower cranial nerve deficits more frequently than control GBS. The presence of antibody specificity to GD1a/GD1b and/or GD1b/GT1b was significantly associated with severe disability and a requirement for mechanical ventilation.

Anti-ganglioside complex antibodies in Miller Fisher syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Some ganglioside complexes (GSCs) are target antigens for serum antibodies in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Anti-GSC antibodies may be associated with particular clinical features of GBS. OBJECTIVE: To investigate antibodies to GSCs in the sera of patients with Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) characterised by elevation of the IgG anti-GQ1b antibody. RESULTS: In all, 7 of 12 (58%) consecutive patients with MFS were found to have IgG antibodies to GSCs containing GQ1b, of whom 5 had IgG antibodies to GQ1b-GM1 complex (GQ1b/GM1) and 2 had antibodies to GQ1b/GD1a; 4 of 5 patients without sensory symptoms had anti-GQ1b/GM1 antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: At least three different specificities in MFS-associated antibodies, GQ1b-specific, anti-GQ1b/GM1-positive and anti-GQ1b/GD1a-positive, were observed. In patients with MFS not only GQ1b itself but also clustered epitopes of GSCs, including GQ1b, may be considered to be prime target antigens for serum antibodies. A tendency to escape sensory disturbances is shown by anti-GQ1b/GM1-positive MFS.

Correlation between mammary tumor and blood glucose, serum insulin, and free fatty acids in mice.

The blood glucose level and serum levels of insulin, glucagon, and free fatty acids were examined in 7- to 8-mo-old female SHN mice with or without spontaneous mammary tumors (MT). Blood glucose levels in the females with MT were significantly higher than in those without MT, rising in proportion to the increase in size of MT up to 30 mm in diameter. In 4-mo-old male SHN and 11-mo-old female C57BL mice bearing mammary tumor grafts (MTg), the blood glucose level was significantly higher than in mice without MTg. Serum insulin and free fatty acids in female SHN mice with MT rose to higher levels than in mice without MT, whereas serum glucagon levels were unaltered. In 50% of mice with MT, pancreatic islets contained a large number of pyknotic cells. Livers of mice with MT or MTg were significantly heavier than those of mice without MT or MTg. In both female SHN mice with spontaneous MT and male SHN and female C57BL mice with MTg, the total number of hepatocytes and the total amount of liver DNA increased significantly compared with values from corresponding controls without MT or MTg. These findings suggest that MT or MTg induce a hyperglycemic state and an enhanced production of free fatty acids and insulin, which may in turn stimulate the growth of mammary tumors and the liver.

A nationwide survey of pediatric acquired demyelinating syndromes in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical and epidemiologic features of pediatric acquired demyelinating syndromes (ADS) of the CNS in Japan. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide survey and collected clinical data on children with ADS aged 15 years or younger, who visited hospitals between 2005 and 2007. RESULTS: Among 977 hospitals enrolled, 723 (74.0%) responded to our inquiries and reported a total of 439 patients as follows: 244 with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), 117 with multiple sclerosis (MS), 14 with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), and 64 with other ADS. We collected and analyzed detailed data from 204 cases, including those with ADEM (66), MS (58), and NMO (10). We observed the following: (1) the estimated annual incidence rate of pediatric ADEM in Japan was 0.40 per 100,000 children (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.34-0.46), with the lowest prevalence in the north; (2) the estimated prevalence rate of MS was 0.69 per 100,000 children (95% CI, 0.58-0.80), with the lowest prevalence in the south; (3) NMO in Japan was rare, with an estimated prevalence of 0.06 per 100,000 children (95% CI, 0.04-0.08); and (4) the sex ratio and mean age at onset varied by ADS type, and (5) male/female ratios correlated with ages at onset in each ADS group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results clarify the characteristic clinical features of pediatric ADS in the Japanese population.

Unique localization of fucosyl GM1 in rabbit spinal cord and peripheral nerve: immunohistochemical study using monoclonal anti-fucosyl GM1 antibody CRD73-6.

We generated a murine monoclonal antibody (CRD73-6) for ganglioside fucosyl GM1 using a homogenate of rabbit dorsal root ganglia as an immunogen. CRD73-6 immunostained a subset of neurons and the satellite cells surrounding them in rabbit dorsal root ganglia, unmyelinated fibers in the dorsal root, and dorsal horn of the spinal cord. After the tissue sections had been treated with acetone, CRD73-6 also immunostained large neurons and the perineuronal area around them in the ventral horn, and axons and myelin of the small myelinated fibers in the dorsal root. Unique localization of fucosyl GM1 implicates its possible role in cell adhesion and recognition in the nervous system.

Differential expression of sea urchin Otx isoform (hpOtxE and HpOtxL) mRNAs during early development.

Two distinct types of orthodenticle-related proteins (early type: HpOtxE, late type: HpOtxL) of the sea urchin, Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus, have been implicated as enhancer element binding factors of the aboral ectoderm-specific arylsulfatase (HpArs) gene. In order to understand the role of these isoforms during sea urchin development, we have isolated and characterized HpOtx gene. Here we describe the spatial expression patterns of HpOtxE and HpOtxL mRNAs and effects of overexpression of these mRNAs on embryogenesis. Whole-mount in situ hybridization using each isoform-specific probe reveals the complex and dynamic change of expression patterns among three germ layers. HpOtxE mRNA is maternally stored and exists apparently in a nonlocalized manner by the blastula stage. After hatching, HpOtxE transcripts are expressed predominantly in presumptive endoderm cells and gradually decrease during gastrulation. Signals for HpOtxL mRNA are intense at the vegetal half after hatching and subsequently, its expression is restricted to the micromere-derived cells. After primary mesenchyme cell (PMC) ingression, HpOtxL transcripts are localized at the vegetal plate and thereafter, concentrated primarily in ectoderm. Eggs injected with HpOtxE or HpOtxL mRNA develop into similar radialized structures without PMC ingression and gut invagination, whose oral-aboral axes are disrupted. Overexpression of HpOtxE induces accumulation of HpOtxL mRNA at the significantly earlier stages, though HpOtxL overexpression inhibits the accumulation of HpOtxE transcripts. Expression patterns of HpOtxE and HpOtxL in all three germ layers and dramatic morphological changes observed in the mRNA-injected embryos suggest that each HpOtx isoform has an important role in sea urchin embryogenesis.

Anti-Gal-C antibodies in GBS subsequent to mycoplasma infection: evidence of molecular mimicry.

The authors previously reported the presence of antibody against galactocerebroside (Gal-C) in sera from patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome subsequent to Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. Anti-Gal-C antibody activities in these sera were inhibited specifically by the M. pneumoniae reagent. A rabbit anti-Gal-C antibody recognized several glycolipids in M. pneumoniae. These data show that a Gal-C-like structure is present in M. pneumoniae, indicative of molecular mimicry between a major myelin glycolipid, Gal-C, and M. pneumoniae.

Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with IgG monospecific to ganglioside GD1b.

The authors examined serum antiglycolipid antibodies in 445 patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Among them, nine had anti-GD1b IgG antibodies with no reactivity to other glycolipids tested. All those patients had sensory disturbance, and none had the primary axonal form. Anti-GD1b IgG antibodies may bind to primary sensory neurons and paranodal myelin, where GD1b is localized, and be involved in the pathogenesis of sensory disturbance and demyelination. However, more study is needed to substantiate the roles of anti-GD1b IgG antibodies.

Serum anti-GQ1b IgG antibody is associated with ophthalmoplegia in Miller Fisher syndrome and Guillain-Barré syndrome: clinical and immunohistochemical studies.

To determine the significance of serum anti-GQ1b IgG antibody, we studied the disease spectrum associated with this antibody and GQ1b epitope in the human nervous system. We examined sera from 19 patients with typical Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS), five patients with acute postinfectious ophthalmoplegia without ataxia (atypical MFS), six patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) with ophthalmoplegia (GBS-OP[+]), and 23 patients with GBS without ophthalmoplegia (GBS-OP[-]). We also examined sera from 84 patients with other neurologic or non-neurologic disorders and from 16 normal control subjects. Eighteen of the 19 patients with typical MFS, all the patients with atypical MFS, and five of the six patients with GBS-OP(+) had increased anti-GQ1b IgG activity in ELISA, but none of the patients in the other groups, including GBS-OP(-), had it. All the patients' sera that had anti-GQ1b IgG antibody showed anti-GT1a IgG activity. Results of absorption studies suggested that the same antibody reacted with GQ1b and GT1a. An anti-GQ1b mouse monoclonal antibody immunostained the paranodal regions of the extramedullary portion of the human oculomotor, trochlear, and abducens nerves. Biochemical analysis showed that the human oculomotor nerve contained a larger amount of GQ1b than did the ventral and dorsal roots of the spinal cord. We conclude that serum IgG antibody against GQ1b is very closely associated with acute postinfectious ophthalmoplegia in MFS and GBS.

Neuropathy and IgM paraproteinemia: differential binding of IgM M-proteins to peripheral nerve glycolipids.

Two patients with neuropathy and IgM paraproteinemia displayed different immunoreactivity to acidic peripheral nerve glycolipids. In one patient, immunostaining on thin-layer chromatographic plate revealed binding of the IgM to sulfated glucuronosyl paragloboside (SGPG) and sulfated glucuronosyl lactosaminyl paragloboside (SGLPG). The other IgM bound SGPG, SGLPG, and a new third glycolipid. Immunoreactivity of the IgM varies in this syndrome.

GM1b is a new member of antigen for serum antibody in Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Serum antibody from some patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome recognized an antigen of a minor component in human brain monosialoganglioside fraction. We purified that antigen, which migrated at a position slightly lower than that of GM1 on a thin-layer chromatogram (TLC), by using Iatrobeads column chromatography and preparative TLC. Structural analyses, including fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, showed it to be GM1b. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using purified GM1b showed that anti-GM1b antibody was present in 22 of 104 cases tested. No anti-GM1b antibody was present in the sera from control patients with other diseases or from the normal controls. Four sera recognized only GM1b among the 11 ganglioside antigens tested. The other 18 sera had antibodies to other antigens, most of which shared no terminal epitope with GM1b. Eight of nine sera samples with anti-GalNAc-GD1a antibody also had anti-GM1b antibody. Antibody to a minor monosialoganglioside, GM1b, was found to be a useful diagnostic marker for Guillain-Barré syndrome. Further study is needed to determine whether this antibody plays a role in the pathogenetic mechanism of the syndrome.

Carcinomatous neuropathy associated with hepatic cell carcinoma: an autopsy case report.

A 76-yr-old male patient with carcinomatous neuropathy associated with hepatic cell carcinoma, whose initial symptom was deep sensory disturbance followed by muscle weakness is described. The onset was subacute, followed by slow progression. Sural nerve biopsy, as well as electrophysiological examinations, revealed severe axonal degeneration without any evidence of demyelination. The autopsy findings were similar to findings described in the literature on carcinomatous neuropathy. Although carcinomatous neuropathy is usually associated with lung cancer, this report describes an association with hepatic cell carcinoma. The patient also had motor nerve involvement with positive serum anti-GM1 ganglioside antibody which decreased after immunosuppressant therapy in parallel with recovery of muscle weakness. The anti-GM1 ganglioside antibody may be involved in the pathogenesis of motor disturbance in the present case.

Induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in guinea pigs using myelin basic protein and myelin glycolipids.

Strain 13 guinea pigs were immunized with galactocerebroside, asialo-GM1 (GA1) or GM4 ganglioside in association with myelin basic protein (MBP) in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) to produce experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The clinical and pathological features, serum antibodies, and lipid compositions of affected brains and spinal cords were compared with those of guinea pigs immunized with MBP, in CFA, alone. Perivascular demyelination was seen in brains from all guinea pigs immunized with GA1/MBP. The incidence and degree of demyelination in this group were significantly higher than in the group immunized with only MBP. The onset of EAE was slightly, but significantly, retarded in groups of animals immunized with GM4/MBP and there was no detectable demyelination. Otherwise, no significant differences were detected between groups. Augmentation of EAE by myelin glycolipids may provide some important clues in understanding the mechanism of demyelinating diseases.