Authors’ reply

Sir,

Thank you very much for the opportunity to respond to comments and suggestions in the letter to Editor.[1] We would like to explain about the results described in the manuscript entitled: Immunoreactivity of glycoproteins isolated from human peripheral nerve and Campylobacter jejuni (O:19).[2] In the part discussion and the conclusion of the manuscript, we do not confirm the molecular mimicry between the cross-reactive glycoproteins, only the possibility of existence of molecular mimicry: (a) “These findings indicate the possible molecular mimicry between isolated cross-reactive glycoproteins and its role in the development of GBS in patients with previous infection with C. jejuni. Further studies are needed to characterize and determine the molecular structure of the obtained cross-reactive glycoproteins and their epitopes.” (b) “Elucidation of the molecular structure and function of the cross-reactive glycoproteins present in the human peripheral nerve and C. jejuni will indicate their role in the pathogenesis of GBS and also help in understanding the mechanisms that trigger the immune responses in postinfectious autoimmune diseases. These data indicate the possible molecular mimicry between the cross-reactive glycoproteins present in C. jejuni and human peripheral nerve and also its potential role in the development of GBS following infection with C. jejuni (O:19).” We would like to point out that the results published in the manuscript are preliminary results for an ongoing research focused on physico-chemical characterization of these cross-reactive glycoproteins and analysis of the genetic variations between GBS and enteritis-associated C. jejuni. We appreciate and will consider any suggestions in the future also.