Sural nerve biopsies in Guillain-Barre syndrome: axonal degeneration and macrophage-associated demyelination and absence of cytomegalovirus genome

Muscle Nerve. 1992 May;15(5):568-75. doi: 10.1002/mus.880150506.

Abstract

T-cell infiltration was detected by immunohistochemistry in only 2 of 10 sural nerve biopsies from patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The number of endoneurial macrophages, identified by the monoclonal antibody MAC 387, was increased, compared with the number in 10 cases of axonal neuropathy. Macrophage-associated demyelination was identified in 7 and axonal degeneration in 8 cases. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) genome was not detected with the polymerase chain reaction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Axons / physiology
  • Cytomegalovirus / isolation & purification*
  • Demyelinating Diseases / pathology*
  • Female
  • Genes, Viral / genetics
  • Humans
  • Macrophages / pathology
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Degeneration / physiology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy / pathology*
  • Sural Nerve / pathology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / pathology