DIAGNOSTIC TEST 546

Ganglioside Antibodies (IgG, IgM)

Diagnostic test for antibodies against gangliosides (GM1, GT1a, GD1a, GD1b, GQ1b, IgG+IgM). For suspicion of Inflammatory neuropathy.

urgent

Available as urgent test with results within 48 h.

Indication

Suspicion of Inflammatory neuropathy.

Method

ELISA detecting IgG and IgM antibodies against recombinant antigen GM1, GT1a, GD1a, GD1b, GQ1b.

Result

Results are reported as negative, borderline, or positive with a value as % (serum) or as a ratio (CSF).

Reference interval:

Serum
Negative: < 30%
Borderline: 30-50% Borderline result has uncertain clinical relevance
Positive: > 50-100%
Strong positive: > 100%

CSF
Negative < 10
Borderline < 15 Borderline result has uncertain clinical relevance
Positive ≥ 15

Interpretation

Gangliosides are a group of glycosphingolipids which are enriched neuronal plasma membranes and are involved in signal transduction. Antibodies against many different types of gangliosides are associated with sensor and motor neuropathies. Antibodies against multiple gangliosides can often be detected simultaneously due to cross-reactivity as result of their high molecular similarity. Low levels of antibodies against gangliosides may occur without disease association and may be transiently seen after infections.

References

  • Willison HJ, Yuki N. Peripheral neuropathies and anti-glycolipid antibodies. Brain. 2002 Dec;125(Pt 12):2591-625. PMID: 12429589.
  • Nobile-Orazio E et al. How useful are anti-neural IgM antibodies in the diagnosis of chronic immune-mediated neuropathies? J Neurol Sci. 2008 Mar 15;266(1-2):156-63. PMID: 17915254.
  • Kuijf ML et al. Detection of anti-MAG antibodies in polyneuropathy associated with IgM monoclonal gammopathy. Neurology. 2009 Sep 1;73(9):688-95. PMID: 19720975.
  • Renaud S et al. High-dose rituximab and anti-MAG-associated polyneuropathy. Neurology. 2006 Mar 14;66(5):742-4. PMID: 16534115.
  • Benedetti L et al. Predictors of response to rituximab in patients with neuropathy and anti-myelin associated glycoprotein immunoglobulin M. J Peripher Nerv Syst. 2007 Jun;12(2):102-7. PMID: 17565535.
  • Benedetti L et al. Long-term effect of rituximab in anti-mag polyneuropathy. Neurology. 2008 Nov 18;71(21):1742-4. PMID: 19015493.
  • Jacobs BC et al; IGOS Consortium. International Guillain-Barré Syndrome Outcome Study: protocol of a prospective observational cohort study on clinical and biological predictors of disease course and outcome in Guillain-Barré syndrome. J Peripher Nerv Syst. 2017 Jun;22(2):68-76. PMID: 28406555.
  • Shang P et al. Axonal variants of Guillain-Barré syndrome: an update. J Neurol. 2021 Jul;268(7):2402-2419. PMID: 32140865.
  • Sheikh AB et al. Association of Guillain-Barre syndrome with COVID-19 infection: An updated systematic review. J Neuroimmunol. 2021 Jun 15;355:577577. PMID: 33895700.
  • Van den Bergh PYK et al. European Academy of Neurology/Peripheral Nerve Society guideline on diagnosis and treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy: Report of a joint Task Force-Second revision. J Peripher Nerv Syst. 2021 Sep;26(3):242-268. doi: 10.1111/jns.12455. Epub 2021 Jul 30. Erratum in: J Peripher Nerv Syst. 2022 Mar;27(1):94. Erratum in: Eur J Neurol. 2022 Apr;29(4):1288. PMID: 34085743.
  • Wijdicks EF, Klein CJ. Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Mayo Clin Proc. 2017 Mar;92(3):467-479. PMID: 28259232.
  • Willison HJ et al. Guillain-Barré syndrome. Lancet. 2016 Aug 13;388(10045):717-27. PMID: 26948435.

Included in these panels

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How to order

This test is available worldwide for hospitals, clinics, and physicians.

  1. Print and complete the request form

    Download the request form. Clearly state the name and phone number of the referring hospital, clinic, or physician.

  2. Prepare your samples

    Serum: At least 0.5 mL serum (plain serum tubes without additives).
    CSF: At least 0.5 mL CSF (polypropylene tubes).

  3. Send samples and request form

    Within Sweden
    Samples can be sent at room temperature to:
    Envelopes and smaller boxes:
    Wieslab AB, Box 50117, 20211 Malmö, Sweden

    Larger boxes and frozen samples:
    Wieslab AB, Lundavägen 151, 21224 Malmö, Sweden

    International
    Samples can be sent at room temperature to:
    Wieslab AB, Lundavägen 151, 21224 Malmö, Sweden

Read our sampling instructions for more information

Last updated: 2025-08-18