5003 – Anti-Gangliosid Dot

The Anti-Gangliosid Dot is a qualitative line immunoassay for the determination of IgG or IgM antibodies against gangliosides in human serum. The Anti-Gangliosid Dot is intended as an aid in the diagnosis of peripheral neurological disorders in conjunction with other clinical and laboratory findings.

Clinical symptoms associated with inflammatory neuropathies of the peripheral nervous system range from mild signs like slight weariness, inexplicable indisposition to complicated cases such as functional deficiency like respiratory paralysis, cardiac arrest and neuromuscular disorders. Gangliosides, acid glycolipids containing a lipid (ceramide), oligosaccharide and sialic acid, are major components of cell membranes and found especially in the central and peripheral nervous system. Autoantibodies to gangliosides are detected in patients suffering from disorders of the peripheral nervous system.

Infection with Campylobacter jejuni, Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenza are risk factors for inflammatory neuropathies: Antibodies to ganglioside structures of these microorganisms may cross-react with gangliosides of the myelin sheath or neurofibre, leading to activation of inflammation processes with subsequent demyelination.

Line immunoassays are frequently used for the determination of specific antibodies directed against multiple antigens. The test strips are coated with various antigens in consistent intervals. If antibodies are present in the patient´s sample, they bind to the respective antigens. A secondary antibody conjugated with the enzyme horseradish peroxidase detects the generated immune complexes. A colorless substrate is converted into a colored, insoluble product. The signal intensity of the precipitated reaction product is proportional to the antibody activity in the sample.

The Anti-Gangliosid Dot is designed for manual professional in vitro diagnostic use.