GM1 IgM Autoantibodies

Use: The BUHLMANN™ Anti-GM1 IgM ELISA is intended for the qualitative determination of human IgM autoantibodies directed against monosialotetrahexosylganglioside (GM1) in human serum.1

Limitations: Anti-GM1 IgM seropositivity is supportive but not sufficient to confirm the diagnosis of MMN and the diagnosis of cannot be excluded by seronegativity for Anti-GM1.2-4 Anti-GM1 may also be found in patients with Guillain-Barr syndrome,5-6 acute motor axonal neuropathy, and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy as well as in normal individuals but these are mainly IgG type antibodies.2,7-8 This test, by itself, is not diagnostic and should be used in conjunction with other clinical parameters to confirm disease.

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Labcorp. It has not been cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Methodology: Enzyme-Linked Immunoassay (ELISA) for antibodies to the ganglioside GM11

Lipemic samples can be avoided by having the patient fast for 12 hours prior to collection.