| Abstract | The inflammatory neuropathies may be subdivided into an acute form, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and a chronic form referred to as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. More recently a chronic, asymmetrical pure motor neuropathy with multifocal conduction blocks has been described. All three neuropathies are considered to be immune-mediated. Their response to therapy is discussed, with special emphasis on high-dose intravenous immune globulin. For Guillain-Barré syndrome the efficacy of intravenous immune globulin has been proven in a randomized clinical trial. In chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy a response rate of over 60% in newly diagnosed patients is suggested. Clinical prognostic criteria, however, seem to be very important to predict the effect of intravenous immune globulin. In multifocal motor neuropathy intravenous immune globulin is at present the only alternative to cyclophosphamide. |
| Authors | F G van der Meché, P A van Doorn, B C Jacobs
(Affiliation: Department of Neurology, University Hospital Dijkzigt/Sophia, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.)
|
| Journal | Journal of clinical immunology
(J Clin Immunol)
Vol. 15
Issue 6 Suppl
Pg. 63S-69S
(Nov 1995)
ISSN: 0271-9142 UNITED STATES |
| PMID | 8613494
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
|
| Chemical References |
- Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
- Superantigens
|
| Topics |
- Campylobacter jejuni
(immunology)
- Clinical Trials as Topic
- Humans
- Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
(therapeutic use)
- Polyradiculopathy
(etiology, therapy)
- Superantigens
(immunology)
|