Humoral immune response to campylobacter jejuni in patients with enterocolitis and Guillain-Barré syndrome

Abstract

Campylobacter jejuni is one of the most important causes of diarrheal disease worldwide. In addition, it can cause neurological post-infectious sequels, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Humoral immune response to C. jejuni was monitored in patients with C. jejuni enterocolitis, GBS patients and healthy persons, by ELISA. Statistical significance between patients with enterocolitis and healthy persons, as well as among GBS patients and healthy controls, was proven. Statistical significance in IgA among the examined groups was also noticed. The highest values of IgM were found in the patients with GBS, while the highest values of IgG were found in those with enterocolitis. C. jejuni is a significant cause of antecedent infection in GBS. ELISA techniques can be considered a reliable method in determining the presence of serum antibodies in patients with enterocolitis caused by C. jejuni, as well as in patients with GBS.

Keywords

• C. jejuni
• enterocolitis
• GBS