Parrot proventricular dilatation disease: a possible model of Guillain-Barré syndrome?

Abstract

AbstractProventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD) affects parrots with clinico-pathological aspects similar to those of the Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a human neurophathy. We observed that in sera of PPD-affected parrots antibodies to gangliosides were detectable, similarly to that observed for GBS, and that quantification of such antibodies could be diagnostic for PDD. Then, we proved that administration of purified gangliosides to parrots, elicited autoimmune response and a pathological outcome similar to that of natural PDD. We propose this model not only for better studying PDD, but also as the basis for developing a reliable animal model of GBS.