Letter to Editor

Guillain–Barré Syndrome Overlapping with Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis Associated with Isolated Anti-GD3 IgG Positivity

Volume: 16 Number: 5 September 29, 2026
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Guillain–Barré Syndrome Overlapping with Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis Associated with Isolated Anti-GD3 IgG Positivity

Abstract

Abstract Background/Aims: Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) overlapping with longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) is a rare central–peripheral nervous system overlap syndrome. We aimed to present a patient with GBS–LETM overlap associated with isolated anti-GD3 IgG positivity and to emphasize the diagnostic value of serial electrophysiological assessment. MEthods: A 74-year-old man was evaluated by serial electrophysiological studies (days 2 and 10), cerebrospinal fluid analysis, cervicothoracic spinal magnetic resonance imaging, and serum ganglioside, nodal/paranodal, anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, and paraneoplastic antibody panels. Results: The patient developed rapidly progressive quadriplegia with generalized areflexia, a sensory level below T2, and urinary retention. Cerebrospinal fluid demonstrated albuminocytologic dissociation. The initial electrophysiological study showed findings compatible with early GBS, whereas the follow-up study on day 10 demonstrated marked progression to a widespread sensorimotor polyneuropathy. Cervicothoracic spinal magnetic resonance imaging revealed a longitudinally extensive T2-hyperintense intramedullary lesion extending from C3 to T1, consistent with LETM. Isolated anti-GD3 IgG positivity was detected, while other ganglioside antibodies, nodal/paranodal antibodies, anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies, and paraneoplastic investigations were negative. Conclusion: This case highlights the possible association of isolated anti-GD3 IgG positivity with the rare GBS–LETM overlap syndrome. Furthermore, it emphasizes that limited early electrophysiological abnormalities do not exclude GBS and that serial electrophysiological assessment may facilitate diagnosis when concomitant spinal cord involvement is suspected.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

nothing to declare

Ethical Statement

Ethics committee approval was waived because this study is a single-patient case report. Written informed consent for publication was obtained from the patient.

Thanks

Thanks to editors and reviewers

References

  1. 1. Guo F, Zhang YB. Clinical features and prognosis of patients with Guillain-Barré and acute transverse myelitis overlap syndrome. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2019;181:127-132.
  2. 2. Xue J, Song Z, Zhao H, Yi Z, Li F, Yang C, et al. A case of variant of GBS with positive serum ganglioside GD3 IgG antibody. Ital J Pediatr. 2024;50:109.
  3. 3. Li Z, Li J, Liu L, Chen J, Mao X, Yang J, et al. A case report of anti-GD3 antibody positive incomplete Miller-Fisher syndrome with pyramidal tract symptoms. Clin Case Rep. 2025;13:e70144.
  4. 4. van Doorn PA, Van den Bergh PYK, Hadden RDM, et al. European Academy of Neurology/Peripheral Nerve Society Guideline on diagnosis and treatment of Guillain–Barré syndrome. J Peripher Nerv Syst. 2023;28(4):535-563.
  5. 5. Türk Börü Ü, Bölük C, Köseoğlu Toksoy C, Demirbaş H. Acute cerebellitis, transverse myelitis and polyradiculoneuritis related to post-COVID-19 infection. J Spinal Cord Med. 2022;45(5):765-768.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Clinical Sciences (Other)

Journal Section

Letter to Editor

Publication Date

September 29, 2026

Submission Date

August 7, 2026

Acceptance Date

September 6, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 16 Number: 5

APA
Turkmen, N. (2026). Guillain–Barré Syndrome Overlapping with Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis Associated with Isolated Anti-GD3 IgG Positivity. Journal of Contemporary Medicine, 16(5), 275-276. https://doi.org/10.16899/jcm.2013603
AMA
1.Turkmen N. Guillain–Barré Syndrome Overlapping with Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis Associated with Isolated Anti-GD3 IgG Positivity. J Contemp Med. 2026;16(5):275-276. doi:10.16899/jcm.2013603
Chicago
Turkmen, Nur. 2026. “Guillain–Barré Syndrome Overlapping With Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis Associated With Isolated Anti-GD3 IgG Positivity”. Journal of Contemporary Medicine 16 (5): 275-76. https://doi.org/10.16899/jcm.2013603.
EndNote
Turkmen N (September 1, 2026) Guillain–Barré Syndrome Overlapping with Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis Associated with Isolated Anti-GD3 IgG Positivity. Journal of Contemporary Medicine 16 5 275–276.
IEEE
[1]N. Turkmen, “Guillain–Barré Syndrome Overlapping with Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis Associated with Isolated Anti-GD3 IgG Positivity”, J Contemp Med, vol. 16, no. 5, pp. 275–276, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.16899/jcm.2013603.
ISNAD
Turkmen, Nur. “Guillain–Barré Syndrome Overlapping With Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis Associated With Isolated Anti-GD3 IgG Positivity”. Journal of Contemporary Medicine 16/5 (September 1, 2026): 275-276. https://doi.org/10.16899/jcm.2013603.
JAMA
1.Turkmen N. Guillain–Barré Syndrome Overlapping with Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis Associated with Isolated Anti-GD3 IgG Positivity. J Contemp Med. 2026;16:275–276.
MLA
Turkmen, Nur. “Guillain–Barré Syndrome Overlapping With Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis Associated With Isolated Anti-GD3 IgG Positivity”. Journal of Contemporary Medicine, vol. 16, no. 5, Sept. 2026, pp. 275-6, doi:10.16899/jcm.2013603.
Vancouver
1.Nur Turkmen. Guillain–Barré Syndrome Overlapping with Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis Associated with Isolated Anti-GD3 IgG Positivity. J Contemp Med. 2026 Sep. 1;16(5):275-6. doi:10.16899/jcm.2013603