Antibodies to disulfated heparin disaccharide in the diagnosis of neuropathy

Abstract

Methods aiding in the diagnosis of certain neuropathies are disclosed, in which the titer of antibodies to a disulfated heparin disaccharide is assessed in a test sample from a subject. Also disclosed are apparatus and kits that can be used in the methods of the invention.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A detection antibody that specifically binds a human antibody that specifically binds to an isolated or synthesized disulfated heparin disaccharide, wherein the detection antibody comprises a detectable label, wherein the human antibody is human IgM antibody, and wherein the titer level of the detection antibody is indicative of the levels of autoantibody against disulfated heparin disaccharide in a test sample from a subject. 
     
     
         2 . The detection antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the disulfated heparin disaccharide is a glucosamine-uronic acid heparin disaccharide. 
     
     
         3 . The detection antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the disulfated heparin disaccharide is IdoA-GlcNS-6S. 
     
     
         4 . The detection antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the detection antibody is detectably labeled with an enzyme, radioactive molecule, or fluorescent agent. 
     
     
         5 . The detection antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the disulfated heparin disaccharide is covalently bound to the solid phase. 
     
     
         7 . The detection antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the subject has neuropathy. 
     
     
         8 . The detection antibody of  claim 7 , wherein the neuropathy is a motor neuropathy. 
     
     
         9 . The detection antibody of  claim 8 , wherein the motor neuropathy is multifocal motor neuropathy. 
     
     
         10 . The detection antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the subject has weakness. 
     
     
         11 . The detection antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the subject has electrophysiological evidence of motor conduction block, motor axon loss, or electrophysiological evidence of both motor conduction block and motor axon loss. 
     
     
         12 . The detection antibody of  claim 7 , wherein the neuropathy is Guillain-Barre syndrome.