Neuropediatrics 2005; 36(6): 386-388
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-872875
Short Communication

Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Autoantibodies to Human Manganese Superoxide Dismutase (MnSOD) in Children with Facial Palsy due to Neuroborreliosis

H. Eiffert1 , A. Karsten1 , K. Ritter2 , A. Ohlenbusch3 , T. Schlott4 , R. Laskawi5 , H.-J. Christen6
  • 1Department of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital, Göttingen, Germany
  • 2Department of Virology, RWTH Aachen, Germany
  • 3Department of Neuropediatrics, University Hospital, Göttingen, Germany
  • 4Department of Cytopathology, University Hospital, Göttingen, Germany
  • 5ENT Department, University Hospital, Göttingen, Germany
  • 6Children's Hospital “Auf der Bult”, Hannover, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received: May 30, 2005

Accepted after Revision: September 7, 2005

Publication Date:
24 November 2005 (online)

Abstract

Aim: Acute peripheral facial palsy due to neuroborreliosis is associated with a distal neuritis. In patients with Lyme disease the activity of antioxidant enzymes is decreased. With respect to the pathogenesis of neuroborreliosis, sera of children with acute peripheral facial palsy were investigated for autoantibodies against human manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), which were suspected of raising the oxidative injury of infected tissues. Methods: Sera of 20 children with acute peripheral palsy with neuroborreliosis, sera of 20 children with facial palsy without reference to Lyme disease and sera of 14 blood donors were tested for antibodies against human MnSOD using an ELISA. Results: The concentrations of IgM autoantibodies to MnSOD of the children with neuroborreliosis were significantly increased, compared with the two control groups. Conclusions: We propose that the antibodies detected block the protective effects of MnSOD resulting in an increased oxidative inflammation.

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Prof., MD Hans-Jürgen Christen

Kinderkrankenhaus auf der Bult

Janusz-Korczak-Allee 12

30173 Hannover

Germany

Email: Christen@hka.de