Diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome and validation of Brighton criteria

Predictors of discharge to home/community following inpatient-rehabilitation in a US national sample of Guillain-Barre-Syndrome patients

BACKGROUND

Guillain-Barre-Syndrome (GBS), an autoimmune polyneuropathy causing acute flaccid paralysis, is a rare condition with1-2 cases per 100,000 annually (approximately 5000 cases/year) in the United States (US). There is a paucity of published data regarding patient outcomes in association with discharge destinations following inpatient-rehabilitation (IR) in this patient population, thus this study.

OBJECTIVES

To analyze IR efficacy, and possible predictors of discharge to home/community in a US-national-sample of GBS patients.

METHODS

Retrospective-observational-cohort study of 1304 GBS patients admitted to IR comparing discharge disposition destinations (community/home, skilled-nursing-facility [SNF], or return to acute-care) by demographic (age, gender) and clinical variables (length-of-stay [LOS], case-mix-index [CMI], and Functional-Independence-Measure [FIM] score changes). Multinomial-logistic-regression and discriminant-function-analysis were performed to determine model fit in predicting discharge destination.

RESULTS

81.8% were discharged to home/community- average LOS 19-days, total-FIM-gain 43.2; 9.8% discharged to SNFs- average LOS 27.5-days, total-FIM-gain 27.2; and 8.4% discharged to acute-care- average LOS 15.4-days and total-FIM-gain 16.5, (F = 176, p < .001). Stepwise-linear-regression for prediction of community discharge showed change in FIM-Bed/chair/wheelchair-Transfers was the most significant predictor (Wald = 42.2; p < .001), followed by CMI (Wald = 26.9; p < .001), change in FIM-walking/wheelchair (Wald = 14.9; p < .001), and age (Wald = 9.5; p < .002). Using discriminant-function-analysis to test model validity for predicting discharge disposition, FIM-change for Bed/chair/wheelchair Transfers, Walking, and Self-Care as predictors resulted in a classification rate of 78.1%, 92% of variance explained, and Eigenvalue of .53 (p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Total-FIM scores improved in all groups, and most patients were discharged to home/community suggesting IR efficacy. The ability to transfer bed/chair/wheelchair was the most important predictive factor associated with discharge destination.

Guillain-Barre syndrome and pulmonary embolism in an adult female with COVID-19 infection in Ghana: A case report

INTRODUCTION

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic began at the end of 2019 in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Province, China. This novel coronavirus is classified as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Neurological manifestations are commonly associated with moderate to severe COVID-19 infection. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare immune-mediated postinfectious neuropathy but there has been an increase in the number of cases of GBS associated with COVID-19, supporting the present body of global evidence of the notable association between the 2 conditions. We present the first proven case of GBS and pulmonary embolism associated with COVID-19 infection in Ghana, West Africa.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 60-year-old apparently healthy female presented in August 2020 to the COVID-19 treatment center of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana from a referral facility following a week's history of low-grade fever, chills, rhinorrhoea, and generalized flaccid limb weakness. A positive SARS-CoV-2 test result was recorded 3 days after the onset of symptoms and the patient had no known chronic medical condition. Following cerebrospinal fluid analysis, neurophysiological studies and a chest computed tomography pulmonary angiogram, Guillain-Barre syndrome and pulmonary embolism were confirmed. The patient was however managed supportively and then discharged after 12 days on admission, as he made mild improvement in muscular power and function.

CONCLUSION

This case report adds to the body of evidence of the association between GBS and SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly from West Africa. It further highlights the need to anticipate potential neurological complications of SARS-CoV-2, particularly GBS even in mild respiratory symptoms for prompt diagnosis and initiation of appropriate therapy to improve outcomes and avert long-term deficits.

Immune-mediated polyneuropathy in cats: Clinical description, electrodiagnostic assessment, and treatment

BACKGROUND

Suspected immune-mediated polyneuropathy has been increasingly reported in cats, especially in the last decade, but the condition remains poorly understood.

OBJECTIVES

Refine the clinical description and review the classification of this condition based on electrodiagnostic investigation and evaluate the benefit of corticosteroid treatment and L-carnitine supplementation.

ANIMALS

Fifty-five cats presented with signs of muscular weakness and electrodiagnostic findings consistent with polyneuropathy of unknown origin.

METHODS

Retrospective, multicenter study. Data from the medical records were reviewed. The owners were contacted by phone for follow-up at the time of the study.

RESULTS

The male-to-female ratio was 2.2. The median age of onset was 10 months, with 91% of affected cats being <3 years of age. Fourteen breeds were represented in the study. The electrodiagnostic findings supported purely motor axonal polyneuropathy. Histological findings from nerve biopsies were consistent with immune-mediated neuropathy in 87% of the tested cats. The overall prognosis for recovery was good to excellent, as all but 1 cat achieved clinical recovery, with 12% having mild sequelae and 28% having multiple episodes during their lifetime. The outcome was similar in cats with no treatment when compared with cats receiving corticosteroids or L-carnitine supplementation.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Immune-mediated motor axonal polyneuropathy should be considered in young cats with muscle weakness. This condition may be similar to acute motor axonal neuropathy in Guillain-Barré syndrome patients. Based on our results, diagnostic criteria have been proposed.

A case of acute motor sensory axonal neuropathy variant of Guillain Barre syndrome and anaphylaxis reaction as a complication from hyaluronic acid breast enhancement from an unlicensed beautician

Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS) as a complication of hyaluronic acid (HA) exposure is an extremely rare occurrence. We report a case of GBS, acute motor sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN) variant, after a HA breast enhancement procedure. A 41-year-old lady underwent a HA breast enhancement procedure from an unlicensed beautician and developed anaphylaxis followed by bilateral breast abscess and neurological deficits involving both motor and sensory components. The AMSAN variant of GBS was diagnosed from the cytoalbuminologic dissociation and nerve conduction study. Her GBS and breast abscess were managed with plasmapheresis and bilateral mastectomy. In this case, GBS was highly suspected to be caused by HA with possible impurities. To the author's knowledge, the association between HA and GBS has not been reported or known, and further studies are required to establish this association. To prevent mortality and morbidity, breast enhancement procedures should be performed by trained professionals with properly vetted products.

Hyperacute and Fulminant Guillain-Barré Syndrome Requiring Emergent Intubation

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune-mediated acute polyneuropathy that can progress to life-threatening respiratory failure. The diagnosis and treatment of this pathology are complicated by the rarity of the disease and diversity in clinical presentation due to rarer, more dangerous subtypes of GBS. Understanding the time course of progression from onset to nadir of neurological deficits, maintaining a high index of suspicion, and close airway monitoring are essential in rapid diagnosis, securing the airway, and treatment.

Immune-Mediated Neuropathies: Pathophysiology and Management

Dysfunction of the immune system can result in damage of the peripheral nervous system. The immunological mechanisms, which include macrophage infiltration, inflammation and proliferation of Schwann cells, result in variable degrees of demyelination and axonal degeneration. Aetiology is diverse and, in some cases, may be precipitated by infection. Various animal models have contributed and helped to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms in acute and chronic inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathies (Guillain-Barre Syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, respectively). The presence of specific anti-glycoconjugate antibodies indicates an underlying process of molecular mimicry and sometimes assists in the classification of these disorders, which often merely supports the clinical diagnosis. Now, the electrophysiological presence of conduction blocks is another important factor in characterizing another subgroup of treatable motor neuropathies (multifocal motor neuropathy with conduction block), which is distinct from Lewis-Sumner syndrome (multifocal acquired demyelinating sensory and motor neuropathy) in its response to treatment modalities as well as electrophysiological features. Furthermore, paraneoplastic neuropathies are also immune-mediated and are the result of an immune reaction to tumour cells that express onconeural antigens and mimic molecules expressed on the surface of neurons. The detection of specific paraneoplastic antibodies often assists the clinician in the investigation of an underlying, sometimes specific, malignancy. This review aims to discuss the immunological and pathophysiological mechanisms that are thought to be crucial in the aetiology of dysimmune neuropathies as well as their individual electrophysiological characteristics, their laboratory features and existing treatment options. Here, we aim to present a balance of discussion from these diverse angles that may be helpful in categorizing disease and establishing prognosis.

Single-cell analysis reveals novel clonally expanded monocytes associated with IL1β-IL1R2 pair in acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disorder wherein the composition and gene expression patterns of peripheral blood immune cells change significantly. It is triggered by antigens with similar epitopes to Schwann cells that stimulate a maladaptive immune response against peripheral nerves. However, an atlas for peripheral blood immune cells in patients with GBS has not yet been constructed. This is a monocentric, prospective study. We collected 5 acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) patients and 3 healthy controls hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University from December 2020 to May 2021, 3 AIDP patients were in the peak stage and 2 were in the convalescent stage. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from these patients. Furthermore, we performed cell clustering, cell annotation, cell-cell communication, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identification and pseudotime trajectory analysis. Our study identified a novel clonally expanded CD14+ CD163+ monocyte subtype in the peripheral blood of patients with AIDP, and it was enriched in cellular response to IL1 and chemokine signaling pathways. Furthermore, we observed increased IL1β-IL1R2 cell-cell communication between CD14+ and CD16+ monocytes. In short, by analyzing the single-cell landscape of the PBMCs in patients with AIDP we hope to widen our understanding of the composition of peripheral immune cells in patients with GBS and provide a theoretical basis for future studies.

Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with SARS-CoV-2 vaccination: how is it different? a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis

Purpose

An association between Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination has been reported. We aimed to summarize the clinical features of GBS associated with SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and determine the contrasting features from coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) associated GBS and GBS following other causes.

Materials and Methods

We performed PubMed search for articles published between 1 December 2020 and 27 January 2022 using search terms related to "SARS-CoV-2 vaccination" and "GBS". Reference searching of the eligible studies was performed. Sociodemographic and vaccination data, clinical and laboratory features, and outcomes were extracted. We compared these findings with post-COVID-19 GBS and International GBS Outcome Study (IGOS) (GBS from other causes) cohorts.

Results

We included 100 patients in the analysis. Mean age was 56.88 years, and 53% were males. Six-eight received non-replicating virus vector and 30 took messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines. The median interval between the vaccination and the GBS onset was 11 days. Limb weakness, facial palsy, sensory symptoms, dysautonomia, and respiratory insufficiency were seen in 78.65%, 53.3%, 77.4%, 23.5%, and 25%, respectively. The commonest clinical and electrodiagnostic subtype were sensory-motor variant (68%) and acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (61.4%), respectively. And 43.9% had poor outcome (GBS outcome score ≥3). Pain was common with virus vector than mRNA vaccine, and the latter had severe disease at presentation (Hughes grade ≥3). Sensory phenomenon and facial weakness were common in vaccination cohort than post-COVID-19 and IGOS.

Conclusion

There are distinct differences between GBS associated with SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and GBS due to other causes. Facial weakness and sensory symptoms were commonly seen in the former and outcomes poor.

Reliability and validity of prognostic indicators for Guillain-Barré syndrome in children

AIM

To explore the clinical characteristics and prognostic predictors of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in Chinese paediatric patients.

METHOD

The clinical features of children with GBS hospitalized in the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were summarized retrospectively. The correlation between the Erasmus GBS Outcome Score (EGOS)/modified Erasmus GBS Outcome Score (mEGOS), GBS disability score (GDS)/modified Rankin Scale (MRS), Erasmus GBS Respiratory Insufficiency Score (EGRIS), and mechanical ventilation were evaluated.

RESULTS

One hundred forty-two patients (86 males, 56 females; median 62.50 months [interquartile range 41.00-97.50]) with classic GBS were enrolled in the study. In the present GBS cohort, 134 (94.37%) patients could walk independently (GDS ≤2) and 121 (85.21%) could manage without assistance (MRS ≤2) at 6 months. Eighteen (12.68%) patients with GBS required mechanical ventilation. The performance of mEGOS on admission, mEGOS on day 7, and EGOS-predicted GDS outcome at 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months in the paediatric patients with GBS admitted within 2 weeks of disease onset and that of the MRS outcome were evaluated. The EGRIS in individuals who required mechanical ventilation was significantly higher than in patients without mechanical ventilation (median = 6 vs median = 3, p < 0.001).

INTERPRETATION

In Chinese paediatric patients with GBS who were admitted 2 weeks after disease onset, the mEGOS and EGOS are validated indicators for the prediction of clinical outcomes 6 months after onset. EGRIS is helpful in predicting the implementation of mechanical ventilation in the acute phase.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

The Erasmus Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) Outcome Score (EGOS) and modified EGOS are reliable prognostic predictors in paediatric patients with GBS. The Erasmus GBS Respiratory Insufficiency Score (EGRIS) is an effective predictor of mechanical ventilation in paediatric patients with GBS. An EGRIS of ≥5 indicates a high risk of mechanical ventilation in the acute phase.

Characteristics of Guillain-Barré syndrome in super-elderly individuals

BACKGROUND

Japan has the world's largest super-aging population, and the number of elderly patients with various diseases is increasing. Herein, we reported the characteristics of super-elderly patients, aged over 80 years, with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a typical neuroimmune disease.

METHODS

During the period 2019-2021, 74 patients over the age of 80 years diagnosed with GBS at Kindai university were analyzed as the super-elderly group patients. The control group comprised 74 consecutive patients aged < 79 years, under the same conditions. GBS was diagnosed using Brighton diagnostic criteria. Electrophysiology was assessed using the Ho criteria.

RESULTS

The mean age was 83.5 years in the super-elderly group and 51.7 years in the control group. Prior infection was recognized in 50% of cases in the super-elderly group and 77% of cases in the control group with fewer cases in the super-elderly group. The mean number of days until peak symptom presentation was longer in the super-elderly group. The percentage who required a ventilator was significantly higher among the super-elderly group than among the control group. Hughes functional grading scale was more severe in the super-elderly group. Electrophysiological examination revealed the demyelinating form was particularly common in the super-elderly group. Intravenous immunoglobulin was the most common treatment in both the groups, with no difference in efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

Super-elderly onset GBS tends to be severe, therefore it is important to diagnose and treat appropriately, even in the absence of prior episodes of infection.

Sural nerve involvement in Guillain-Barré syndrome: Clinical and prognostic implications. A prospective cohort

BACKGROUND

Sural sparing is common in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). However, one third of patients have sural nerve compromise. Its clinical implications associated factors and short-term prognosis are still unknown. The objective of this study is to identify if sural nerve compromise is associated with a worse prognosis and to describe clinical and electrophysiological characteristics in Guillain-Barré syndrome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We prospectively analyzed patients with Guillain-Barré diagnosis with vs without sural nerve compromise. All patients underwent nerve conduction studies within the first 3 days of hospital admission. Clinical and electrophysiological characteristics were compared between groups.

RESULTS

174 patients were included in this study. Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy was the predominant variant (43.7 %). Thirty percent of patients had sural nerve involvement. In the comparative analysis between affected vs unaffected sural groups, age ≥50 years and Guillain-Barré disability score ≥3 demonstrated a statistically significant difference. Regarding short-term recovery period for independent walking, there was no significant difference. In the multivariate analysis, age ≥50 years was identified as independent factors for sural nerve compromise on admission.

CONCLUSION

sural nerve compromise occurs in 30 % of patients with GBS and is not associated with a worse functional prognosis. Age ≥50 years was identified as an independent factor for sural nerve compromise.

Study of total duration of distal compound muscle action potential in demyelinating and axonal Guillain-Barre' syndrome

OBJECTIVES

Electrophysiology plays a crucial role in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) diagnosis and subtype classification. The aim of our study was to assess the potential role of distal compound muscle action potential (dCMAP) for early differentiation between acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) and axonal GBS.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 24 subjects with AIDP and 18 subjects with axonal GBS. We built up receiver operating characteristic curves for total dCMAP duration and negative phase of dCMAP duration, in order to derive cut-off values able to differentiate between AIDP and axonal GBS.

RESULTS

The total duration of dCMAP was significantly prolonged in AIDP compared to axonal GBS. AUCs, odds ratio and positive predictive values were higher for total duration than for negative peak duration. Nerve conduction parameters in the lower limbs were more sensitive than those in the upper limbs in distinguishing AIDP from axonal GBS.

DISCUSSION

Total duration of dCMAP dispersion may capture an adjunctive component of distal demyelination, not measured by the more traditional parameters and may thus represent a useful tool for early differentiation between AIDP and axonal GBS.

Cerebro-spinal fluid glucose and lactate concentrations changes in response to therapies in patIents with primary brain injury: the START-TRIP study

INTRODUCTION

Altered levels of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose and lactate concentrations are associated with poor outcomes in acute brain injury patients. However, no data on changes in such metabolites consequently to therapeutic interventions are available. The aim of the study was to assess CSF glucose-to-lactate ratio (CGLR) changes related to therapies aimed at reducing intracranial pressure (ICP).

METHODS

A multicentric prospective cohort study was conducted in 12 intensive care units (ICUs) from September 2017 to March 2022. Adult (> 18 years) patients admitted after an acute brain injury were included if an external ventricular drain (EVD) for intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring was inserted within 24 h of admission. During the first 48-72 h from admission, CGLR was measured before and 2 h after any intervention aiming to reduce ICP ("intervention"). Patients with normal ICP were also sampled at the same time points and served as the "control" group.

RESULTS

A total of 219 patients were included. In the intervention group (n = 115, 53%), ICP significantly decreased and CPP increased. After 2 h from the intervention, CGLR rose in both the intervention and control groups, although the magnitude was higher in the intervention than in the control group (20.2% vs 1.6%; p = 0.001). In a linear regression model adjusted for several confounders, therapies to manage ICP were independently associated with changes in CGLR. There was a weak inverse correlation between changes in ICP and CGRL in the intervention group.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, CGLR significantly changed over time, regardless of the study group. However, these effects were more significant in those patients receiving interventions to reduce ICP.

The early clinical and laboratory predictors of GBS outcome: hospital-based study, Assiut University, Upper Egypt

Background

This study was designed to identify factors that influence outcomes in a large group of well-defined Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) patients with a 3-month follow-up period. Sixty-two cases of GBS with a mean age of 37.15 ± 17.60 years (33 males and 29 females) were recruited in the first 2 weeks after onset. Clinical history, examination, and a variety of rating scales including Medial Research Council sum score (MRC), Erasmus Guillain-Barré respiratory insufficiency score (EGRIS), at admission and 10 days later were performed. Follow-up investigations at 3 months included the Hughes Disability Scale (HDS), and Overall Neuropathy Limitation Scale (ONLS).

Results

64.5% of participants had cranial nerve deficits, 45% had neck muscle weakness, 30.6% had dysautonomia, and 8.1% were mechanically ventilated. C-reactive protein was elevated in 38.7%, and hyponatremia was recorded in 30.6% of patients. Older age, antecedent events particularly diarrhea, neck muscles weakness, low MRC sum score, impaired cough reflex, dysautonomia, and hyponatremia, were all significantly associated with poor outcomes at 3 months using HDS and ONLS. Regression analysis with dependent variables of HDS outcome showed that the presence of an antecedent event particularly diarrhea, neck muscle weakness, hyponatremia and the presence cytoalbuminous dissociation of CSF at onset, and low MRC sum score at 10th day after treatment, were predictors of poor outcome.

Conclusion

Clinical and laboratory predictors of poor outcome were older age, the presence of an antecedent event particularly diarrhea, low MRC sum score at the 10th day, elevated CRP, hyponatremia and the presence cytoalbuminous dissociation.

Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with COVID-19: A systematic review

With the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the whole world was impacted by a pandemic. With the passage of time and knowledge about the dynamics and viral propagation of this disease, the short-, medium- and long-term repercussions are still being discovered. During this period, it has been learned that various manifestations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can affect the nervous system. In recent months, a variety of studies and case reports have proposed an association between COVID-19 and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The present work aims to systematically review the publications available to date to verify the relationship between these two pathologies and the characteristics of post-COVID GBS. There were 156 studies included in this work, resulting in a total of 436 patients. The findings show a mean age of the patients of 61,38 years and a male majority. The GBS symptoms began on average 19 days after the onset of COVID-19 infection. Regarding GBS, the main manifestations found included generalized weakness, reflex reduction, facial paresis/paralysis and hypoesthesia. As expected, the most common result in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis was albuminocytological dissociation. A pattern of blood analysis findings common to all patients was not observed due to non-standardization of case reports. Regarding electrodiagnostic studies, acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) appeared as the most common subtype of GBS in this study. There have been reports, to a lesser extent, of acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN), acute sensorimotor axonal neuropathy (AMSAN), the pharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant (PCB), and Miller-Fisher syndrome (MFS). The GBS treatment used was mainly intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and plasma exchange (PLEX). Therefore, the present study reports a high prevalence of hospitalization and intensive care units ICU admissions, conjecturing a relationship between the development of GBS and the severity of COVID-19. Despite the severity, most patients showed improvement in GBS symptoms after treatment, and their residual symptoms did not include motor involvement. Therefore, the development of GBS seems to be related to COVID-19 infection, as reported by the present systematic review.

Guillain-Barré syndrome AMSAN variant in a 90-year-old woman after COVID-19: a case report

BACKGROUND

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an inflammatory disease of the peripheral nervous system characterized by rapidly evolving polyneuropathy caused by autoimmune demyelination and/or axonal degeneration. Since SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, several GBS cases following exposure to coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) have been reported in literature, raising the concern of the latter being a potential trigger event for GBS.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report the case of a 90-year-old Caucasian woman who was admitted to our hospital because of fatigue, worsening gait and leg strength, dysphonia, dysarthria and dysphagia, started 3 weeks after being exposed to COVID-19. Based on clinical presentation GBS was suspected, so she performed a lumbar puncture and electromyography, which confirmed the diagnosis of acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN) variant. We administered high dose of intravenous immunoglobulin with slight neurological improvement. However, after 2 weeks of hospitalization with maximization of care, her physical condition worsen, manifesting severe frailty. The patient was discharged with home support services for managing parenteral nutrition and intense scheduled physiotherapy. A few days later, the patient experienced a further decline in her clinical condition and died at home.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, we report the oldest woman with GBS AMSAN variant after COVID-19 described in the existing literature. Our case supports further research aimed at improving recognition, characterization and prompt management of neurological diseases related to COVID-19 in older patients.

A Rare Case of Miller Fisher Syndrome in a 45-Year-Old Female

Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) is an uncommon form of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a neurological condition that is acquired, degenerative, demyelinating, and frequently characterized by gradual, symmetrical ascending paralysis. Ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and areflexia are common symptoms that follow a bacterial or viral infection. Here, we want to draw attention to a rare case of MFS in a 45-year-old Indian female who had dysphagia, dysphasia, ataxia, and dyskinesia while moving around. Unusually, she had no past medical history of Campylobacter jejuni infection, recent vaccinations, upper respiratory tract infections, or any sexually transmitted diseases. Since this disorder has excellent prognosis, early diagnosis and effective treatment are crucial to minimizing unnecessary medical intervention and psychological suffering.

A Case of Postoperative Guillain-Barré Syndrome After Nasal Surgery

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disease that is generally preceded by an infection. Its typical symptoms are progressive symmetric paresis and an absence of deep tendon reflexes. GBS could be a life-threatening condition due to the paralysis of respiratory muscles, and admission to the intensive care unit should be considered for close monitoring. Intravenous immunoglobulin can improve the course of the disease. Postoperative GBS is most likely to occur after gastrointestinal, cardiac, thoracic, neurological, or orthopedic surgery, as well as surgery in the female reproductive tract. The duration of surgery, age, infectious diseases, preexisting autoimmune diseases, and malignant diseases are associated with postoperative GBS. Patients with these factors have a higher risk of postoperative GBS and therefore require precautions to be taken after surgery. We report a case of 53-year-old woman who had experienced GBS after Nasal surgery preceded by gastrointestinal infection and treated by intravenous immunoglobulin.

Immunological, Clinical, and Epidemiological Features of Guillain-Barré Syndrome Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Objectives. There is a growing interest in understanding the association between Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and SARS-CoV-2 infection. The aim of this study was to analyse various characteristics of GBS before and after the pandemic outbreak and thus identify possible distinctive features of GBS associated with SARS-CoV-2 (GBS-S). Material and Methods. In our centre, we retrospectively reviewed the records of patients diagnosed with GBS between January 2018 and March 2022. Epidemiological, clinical, and immunological data were analysed and compared between patients with GBS according to the time of diagnosis and antecedent events. Results. Thirty-nine patients with GBS were included: nine (23.1%) were diagnosed with GBS-S. GBS-S was most frequent in 2020 (6/13, 46.1%). Most of these patients developed a postinfectious classic demyelinating variant (4/9, 44.4%) with frequent bilateral facial paralysis (4/9, 44.4%). Serum antiganglioside antibodies (AGAs) were found in 1/9 patients with GBS-S. Serum anti-SSA/Ro60 antibodies were highly prevalent in GBS-S (7/9 (77.8%) vs. 3/11 (27.3%), $p=0.019$ ). Three cases associated with SARS-CoV-2 vaccination (GBS-V) were detected. Of note, two had bilateral facial paralysis and anti-SSA/Ro60 antibodies. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 has become an important antecedent event associated with GBS in our setting. GBS-S shows a postinfectious demyelinating immune-mediated profile with negative serological testing for AGAs. Serum anti-SSA/Ro60 antibodies were found frequently in these patients. Bilateral facial paralysis stands out as a possible characteristic clinical feature both in GBS-S and GBS-V. Larger, prospective studies are needed for a better understanding of its immunopathogenesis.

Sural Sparing Pattern and Sensory Ratio as Electrodiagnostic and Prognostic Markers in Pediatric Guillain-Barré Syndrome

BACKGROUND

We aimed to evaluate the presence of sural sparing pattern (SSP) and sensory ratio in pediatric Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), their distribution to subtypes, and their relationship with demographic and clinical features with a focus on the disability and muscle strength.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective study was conducted on pediatric GBS patients of both sexes with 2 years follow-up and two nerve conduction studies in which SSP and sensory ratio were calculated. Three subgroups of SSP were formed by separate calculation of median (SSP-m) and ulnar (SSP-u) and both median and ulnar sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs; SSP-total). Muscle strength and disability were evaluated with the Medical Research Council (MRC) sum score and Hughes functional grading scale (HFGS), respectively.

RESULTS

SSP total was identified in 70.6% (n: 24) of the patients, while sensory ratio >1 was observed in 20 (66.7%) patients. Patients with SSP-m, SSP-u, SSP-total, or sensory ratio >1 had higher HFGS scores, while patients with SSP-m, SSP-u, or SSP-total had lower MRC sum scores. SSP parameters were significantly associated with muscle strength and disability scores in acute motor axonal neuropathy patients.

CONCLUSION

Both SSP and sensory ratio can be used for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. Disability and muscle strength are associated with SSP and sensory ratio in pediatric GBS.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome Secondary to the Use of Dabrafenib and Trametinib for the Treatment of Advanced Thyroid Carcinoma

BRAF V600E mutation in thyroid malignancies is associated with an aggressive phenotype with more rapid tumor growth and higher mortality. V600E is a driver mutation in the BRAF proto-oncogene, where valine (V) is substituted by glutamic acid (E) at amino acid 600. New chemotherapeutic agents targeting the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, including direct BRAF inhibitors, have become available and are increasingly used in various advanced thyroid malignancies. These agents are associated with various rare neurological adverse effects. We present a case of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) secondary to dabrafenib and trametinib therapy for the management of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. A few cases of GBS have been reported previously with the use of these agents in the treatment of melanoma. To our knowledge, this is the first case of GBS with the use of dabrafenib and trametinib for advanced thyroid malignancy. The knowledge of this rare, potentially life-threatening condition is important for clinicians to know, given the increased use of these agents in managing advanced thyroid malignancies.

Guillain-Barré syndrome after COVID-19 vaccines: A Tunisian case series

As the COVID-19 vaccination campaign progresses worldwide, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) vaccine-related cases have been reported. We carried out a retrospective, descriptive study of GBS patients following COVID-19 vaccine, submitted to the National Pharmacovigilance Center of Tunis during the period between March 2021 and May 2022. Our study aimed to identify epidemiological and clinical features of COVID-19 vaccine-associated GBS. We found 9 cases of GBS post COVID-19 vaccination; 5 of them were excluded due to the lack of information, whereas 4 cases were included in this study. Men represented 75% (3/4) of the cases. The most frequently reported vaccine type was ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (n = 2 reports [50%]), Ad26.COV2.S vaccine and BNT162b2 vaccine in 1. The mean time interval from vaccination to symptom onset was 15.3 days. Clinical manifestations were different: classical GBS in two cases and GBS with unilateral facial palsy in the other 2 cases. All patients were treated with a course of intravenous immunoglobulin for 5 days. Three patients reported clinical improvement while one case (25%) showed treatment-related fluctuations. Our observations suggest that COVID-19 vaccines may be associated with GBS. Continuous surveillance and further studies are warranted to assess the significance of the association.

[Guillain-Barre syndrome in children]

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an immune-mediated disease of the peripheral nervous system that can occur in both children and adults. The classic presentation of GBS is characterized by progressive symmetrical, ascending muscle weakness. Patients with GBS require meticulous monitoring due to the risk of bulbar syndrome, respiratory failure and autonomic dysfunction, which can be life-threatening. Early diagnosis and timely prescription of pathogenetic therapy for GBS are particularly important, especially in young children. Meanwhile, the spectrum of disorders covered by GBS has expanded significantly; its eponym is now designate any variant of acute dysimmune polyneuropathy, and its atypical forms pose a serious diagnostic problem for clinicians. This review article provides an analysis of the data available in the medical literature on GBS in children and discusses the tactics for diagnosing and managing patients with GBS, taking into account the Russian and European clinical recommendations.

[Combination of post-infectious optic neuritis and Guillain-Barré syndrome]

The coexistence of optic neuritis and Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare combination of neurological diseases. The trigger of an autoimmune inflammatory process is often a respiratory mycoplasma infection. Ignorance of such combination can lead to diagnostic and therapy mistakes. This article describes the case of a rare combination of overlapping optic neuritis and Guillain-Barré syndrome, associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae and provides the short literature review. Further studies are required to identify common pathogenetic mechanisms of combined inflammatory lesions of the optic nerves and peripheral nervous system.

Long-term outcomes of plasma exchange versus intravenous immunoglobulin for the treatment of Guillain-Barré Syndrome: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial

Background

Most previous studies comparing the effectiveness of Plasma Exchange (PE) or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in treating Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) have focused on the short-term outcome at around 1 month.

Objective

To compare the long-term efficacy of PE and IVIG at one year in adult patients with GBS.

Methods

Eighty-one adult patients with acute GBS were randomized into two groups with a ratio of 2 : 1: PE (N = 54) and IVIG (N = 27). Patients were assessed with the Medical Research Council sum score (MRC sum score), GBS Disability Scale (GDS), and Functional assessment of acute inflammatory neuropathy (FAAIN) at baseline, ten days, one month, three months, and one year. Neurophysiological examinations were performed at baseline and three months following treatment.

Results

There were no significant differences between groups in demographic, clinical, and laboratory data. Both treatments produced a significant improvement in all clinical rating scales in both groups that continued up to one year. There were significant differences in the time course of recovery in the MRC and FAAIN scales, with significantly more improvement in the IVIG group at 1 and 3 months, although there was no significant difference in outcome at one year. However the effect size showed measurable differences between the PE and IVIG groups across the different measures at one-year. Electrophysiological studies showed equal improvement in most measures in both groups at three months, with a slightly greater effect in the IVIG group.

Conclusion

long term outcomes of IVIG and PE were equivalent. However the effect size showed measurable differences between the PE and IVIG groups across the different measures at one-year follow-up that indicate the superiorty of IVIG. There was also a tendency for improvement to be slightly faster in the IVIG group.

Guillain-Barre syndrome following COVID-19 vaccines: A review of literature

Objective

This study aimed to retrospectively analyze reported Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) cases that occurred after COVID-19 vaccination.

Methods

Case reports of GBS following COVID-19 vaccination that were published before May 14, 2022, were retrieved from PubMed. The cases were retrospectively analyzed for their basic characteristics, vaccine types, the number of vaccination doses before onset, clinical manifestations, laboratory test results, neurophysiological examination results, treatment, and prognosis.

Results

Retrospective analysis of 60 case reports revealed that post-COVID-19 vaccination GBS occurred mostly after the first dose of the vaccination (54 cases, 90%) and was common for DNA vaccination (38 cases, 63%), common in middle-aged and elderly people (mean age: 54.5 years), and also common in men (36 cases, 60%). The mean time from vaccination to onset was 12.3 days. The classical GBS (31 cases, 52%) was the major clinical classification and the AIDP subtype (37 cases, 71%) was the major neurophysiological subtype, but the positive rate of anti-ganglioside antibodies was low (7 cases, 20%). Bilateral facial nerve palsy (76% vs 18%) and facial palsy with distal paresthesia (38% vs 5%) were more common for DNA vaccination than for RNA vaccination.

Conclusion

After reviewing the literature, we proposed a possible association between the risk of GBS and the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccines, especially DNA vaccines. The higher rate of facial involvement and a lower positive rate of anti-ganglioside antibodies may be a characteristic feature of GBS following COVID-19 vaccination. The causal relationship between GBS and COVID-19 vaccination remains speculative, more research is needed to establish an association between GBS and COVID-19 vaccination. We recommend surveillance for GBS following vaccination, because it is important in determining the true incidence of GBS following COVID-19 vaccination, as well as in the development of a more safer vaccine.

A case of Guillain-Barré syndrome related to COVID-19 infection

BACKGROUND

After the first COVID-19 case, reported neurological complications are increasing day by day.

METHOD

In this paper, we present a benign-course Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) emerging 2 weeks after COVID-19 infection in a 35-years-old male.

RESULTS

Cough and fever were started 18 days ago and his PCR test was resulted positive for COVID-19 infection. After treatment and quarantine were completed, he developed sudden leg weakness following autonomic features. Cerebrospinal fluid was suggestive for GBS despite the electrodiagnostic test was not helpful because it was done in the first days. He recovered without needing any immunotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Our case suggested that COVID-19 can cause atypical benign GBS forms in addition to well-known variants. Comprehensive studies are needed to describe the unknowns and determine the exact prevalence of GBS after COVID-19 infection, including mild cases that did not require hospital admission.

Predictors of Treatment Outcome and Clinical Profile among Guillain- Barre Syndrome Patients in South India

BACKGROUND

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is one of the principal causes of acute neuromuscular weakness and paralysis worldwide. Its clinic-epidemiological profile and factors influencing its treatment outcomes in developing countries are very minimally studied.

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to find out the risk factors, clinical presentation, management, and predictors of treatment outcomes among GBS patients admitted in two tertiary care hospitals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Medical records of 121 inpatients with GBS confirmed based on the Brighton criteria over the recent five-year period from June 2017 to May 2022 were examined. Assessment of the severity of GBS was done using the Hughes functional grading scale.

RESULTS

The mean age at onset was 36.8 ± 18.9 years. The majority of the patients [82 (67.8%)] were males. Antecedent illnesses within 1 month of onset of GBS were present among 34 (28.1%) patients. The majority of them developed respiratory tract illnesses [13 (38.2%)]. Recurrent history of GBS was observed among 4 (3.3%) patients. The median time gap between the onset of antecedent illnesses and the onset of GBS was 5 days (IQR 3, 10). The most common symptom among GBS patients was the weakness of the muscles of the extremities [117 (96.7%)]. The pattern of progression of weakness among 53 (45.3%) of these patients was from the lower to upper limbs. The most common sign noted was hypotonia [64(52.9%)]. Complications due to GBS were observed among 12 (9.9%) patients. The most common complication among them was respiratory distress in 11 (91.7%) patients, followed by autonomic dysfunctions in 8 (66.7%). Albuminocytological dissociation in cerebrospinal fluid was noted among 48 (39.7%) patients. The majority of patients in nerve conduction studies had acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy [61(50.4%)]. The majority of the GBS patients [68 (56.2%)] were treated using intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). 95 (78.5%) patients improved with treatment at the time of discharge. In multivariable analysis, the absence of antecedent illnesses (p =0.029), Brighton's diagnostic certainty levels 1 and 2 of GBS (p =0.024), and being on IVIG treatment (p =0.05) were associated with improvement in disease condition among the patients.

CONCLUSION

Appropriate diagnosis of GBS using both clinical and laboratory evidence and providing appropriate treatment along with more supervision among GBS patients with a history of antecedent illnesses will help improve their prognosis at the time of discharge.

Clinical Manifestations of Hepatitis E

The clinical manifestations of hepatitis E are similar to those of other types of viral hepatitis. While acute hepatitis E is usually self-limited, pregnant women and chronic liver disease patients suffering from acute hepatitis E usually present with severe clinical manifestations that may develop into fulminant hepatic failure. Chronic HEV infection is typically seen in organ transplant patients; most HEV cases are asymptomatic and rarely display jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, fever, fatigue, or ascites. The clinical manifestations of HEV infection in neonates are diverse and have varied clinical signs, biochemistry, and virus-biomarkers. Lastly, the extrahepatic manifestations and complications of hepatitis E are in need of further study.

Retrospective evaluation of Guillain-Barre syndrome in children: A single-center experience

BACKGROUND

Although Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is now the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis in children, information on the long-term follow-up of GBS is still limited. Identification of prognostic factors can play an important role in treatment strategies and the follow-up of patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of monitoring the GBS disability score (DS) in predicting morbidity and mortality.

METHODS

The patients were separated into two groups those with DS≥ or <3 on admission. These groups were compared in respect of demographic data, clinical and laboratory findings, and the DS recorded on admission and at first, third, sixth, 12th, and 24th months.

RESULTS

The study included 44 patients (54.5% male, 45.5% female) with a median age of 5 years. The most common involvements during the disease were weakness, ataxia, neuropathic pain, cranial neuropathy, respiratory distress, autonomic dysfunction, and psychiatric symptoms, respectively. In patients with a DS of ≥3, the time from onset of symptoms to hospital admission was shorter, and the length of hospital stay was longer. Children with back pain and autonomic dysfunction had a DS of ≥3. A high 3-month DS was found to be a significant predictor for the development of sequelae.

CONCLUSIONS

Although progressive muscle weakness and inability to walk are the most common symptoms of GBS, it should be kept in mind that atypical manifestations such as hemiplegia and ophthalmoplegia may also occur. For an objective assessment of clinical improvement during follow-up, the DS for motor functions can be used.

Diagnostic Pitfalls in Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Case Report and Literature Review

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) represents a group of acute immune-mediated polyradiculoneuropathies that is usually characterized by symmetrical limb weakness and areflexia. GBS can also lead to atypical clinical findings, which may lead to confusion and errors in the diagnosis. In this report, we describe a case of Guillain-Barré syndrome in a 7-year-old child who presented with neck stiffness, headache and vomiting mimicking acute meningoencephalitis, arthritis and myositis. Symptoms of ascending paralysis developed subsequently. Clearly, the atypical presentation of GBS is a significant dilemma for pediatricians and may lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment.

Guillain-Barré syndrome temporally associated with COVID-19 vaccines in Victoria, Australia

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an adverse event of special interest (AESI) for surveillance systems monitoring adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) with COVID-19 vaccines. Emerging data support a temporal association between GBS and adenovirus-vector COVID-19 vaccines. We present a case series of GBS reports submitted between February and November 2021 to our enhanced spontaneous surveillance system (SAEFVIC) in Victoria, Australia, following vaccination with either the adenovirus-vector vaccine Vaxzevria ChadOx1-S (AstraZeneca) or an mRNA vaccine (Comirnaty BNT162b2 [Pfizer-BioNTech] or Spikevax mRNA-1273 [Moderna]). For each report, Brighton Collaboration case definitions were used to describe diagnostic certainty. Severity was graded using the GBS Disability Score. The observed incidence of GBS following immunisation against COVID-19 was compared to expected background ICD10-AM G61.0 coded hospitalisations. There were 41 total cases of GBS reported to SAEFVIC following Vaxzevria (n = 38), Comirnaty (n = 3), or Spikevax (n = 0) vaccines. The observed GBS incidence rate exceeded the expected background rate for Vaxzevria only, with 1.85 reports per 100,000 doses following dose 1, higher than the expected rate of 0.39 hospital admissions per 100,000 adults within 42 days of vaccination. Of 38 GBS reports following Vaxzevria, the median age at vaccination was 66 years and median onset of symptoms was 14 days following immunisation. There was one death. Four cases initially categorised as GBS were later reclassified as acute-onset chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Fatigue was the predominant persisting symptom reported at follow up. Additional global studies are required to characterise risk factors, clinical variability, and to provide precision and generalizability regarding AEFI risks such as GBS associated with different vaccine platforms, which will help inform communication of the potential benefits and risks of COVID19 vaccination.

Sex differences in Guillain Barré syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy and experimental autoimmune neuritis

Guillain Barré syndrome (GBS) and its variants, and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP and its variants, are regarded as immune mediated neuropathies. Unlike in many autoimmune disorders, GBS and CIDP are more common in males than females. Sex is not a clear predictor of outcome. Experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN) is an animal model of these diseases, but there are no studies of the effects of sex in EAN. The pathogenesis of GBS and CIDP involves immune response to non-protein antigens, antigen presentation through non-conventional T cells and, in CIDP with nodopathy, IgG4 antibody responses to antigens. There are some reported sex differences in some of these elements of the immune system and we speculate that these sex differences could contribute to the male predominance of these diseases, and suggest that sex differences in peripheral nerves is a topic worthy of further study.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome Following SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination: A Case Report

After more than a year of Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, in 2021 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination have been made possible and vaccine was distributed globally. Since then, there have been reports of symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, including neurological symptoms of ascending paralysis known as Guillain-Barre syndrome. In this report, we describe the first case of Guillain-Barre syndrome following vaccination in Indonesia. Symptoms of ascending paralysis were of late onset after the first dose, however, were full blown after receiving the second dose followed by left-sided facial paralysis.

Atypical Guillain-Barré syndrome presenting with fluctuating weakness

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an immune-mediated polyneuropathy, most often occurring within weeks of an infection. Cases of COVID-19-related GBS have been reported, and the typical presentation is a progressive ascending paralysis. We describe a case of a 40-year-old with recent symptomatic COVID-19 who presented with atypical GBS findings, hand weakness that progressed to tetraplegia within 24 hours. He had hyperreflexia on his initial exam and did not meet diagnostic criteria for GBS. Inconsistent neurological findings with spontaneous improvement of symptoms, unremarkable initial evaluation including lumbar puncture, and anxiety further complicated the diagnosis. On day 6, he was intubated for diaphragmatic paralysis, and repeat lumbar puncture showed albumin-cytologic dissociation. Intravenous immunoglobulin followed by plasmapheresis improved strength and allowed for extubation. This case highlights the difficulty of recognizing heterogenic GBS presentations.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome with Lethal Outcome Following COVID-19 Vaccination - Case Report Supported by Autopsy Examination

Objective:

After the outbreak of the global pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection at the end of the year 2019, it took one year to start vaccination against this infection with products from various manufacturers. As of November 2021, more than 8 billion vaccine doses against COVID-19 have been administered, which is essentially linked to a spike in adverse events reports following these vaccinations, including a number of neurological adverse events.

Case Report:

We report a case of a 71-year-old patient with lethal fulminant onset of Guillain-Barré syndrome after the second dose of mRNA vaccine tozinameran. This is, to our best knowledge, the first case report of this adverse event supported by autopsy and histological examination. The patient presented with progressive ascending weakness and paresthesia, with typical cytoalbuminologic dissociation in cerebrospinal fluid and severe motoric and sensitive axonal-demyelinating polyneuropathy on electromyography. The patient’s history and complex diagnostic workup did not reveal any other possible causative factors. The patient did not respond to the treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins and died 10 days later due to aspiration bronchopneumonia as a complication of respiratory muscles paralysis.

Conclusion:

Most of the reported adverse reactions following COVID-19 vaccination include mild or moderate events noticed in the post-vaccination period; however, reports of possible lethal outcomes are no exception. Still, the overall incidence of GBS after vaccination does not significantly exceed its incidence in the general population. Each such report should be carefully examined by a team of specialists to prevent overestimation of lethal adverse events linked to vaccinations, especially in fatalities that happen in the post-vaccination period.

Guillain-Barré syndrome following COVID-19 vaccine: A case report

Coronavirus disease is a viral infection affecting different organs with various morbidities and mortality. Vaccines are used to control the disease. COVID-19 vaccines have brought many benefits but their adverse effects should not be ignored. Here, we report a case of Guillain-Barré Syndrome Following Sinopharm COVID-19 Vaccine.

COVID-19 Vaccination a Cause of Guillain-Barré Syndrome? A Case Series

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare autoimmune neuropathic disorder of peripheral nerves usually following an infection or on rarer occasions following vaccinations, but the exact underlying pathophysiology is still unclear. The most common etiology of GBS is a bacterial infection caused by Campylobacter jejuni. Viral infections like Zika virus, Epstein-Barr virus, and Cytomegalovirus also add to the list of GBS etiology. COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) has also been reported to cause GBS. Vaccines like the rabies vaccine, influenza vaccine, and poliovirus vaccine account for a very small fraction of Guillain-Barré syndrome. GBS as an adverse effect of COVID-19 vaccination was not reported by the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), but an update was later released in the course of the pandemic from FDA news, reporting several patients developing GBS after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. In this case series, we discuss five cases that developed the GBS post-COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine, along with its pathophysiology, management, and outcome.

Atypical Guillain-Barré Syndrome Presenting After COVID-19 Infection

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute autoimmune disease affecting the peripheral nervous system presenting as a symmetric, ascending polyneuropathy. The syndrome arises after a stimulus, such as infection or vaccination, and provokes an autoimmune response in the body. Common symptoms include rapidly progressive weakness in the extremities and generalized hyporeflexia or areflexia. However, GBS may have various presentations, which can make for a challenging diagnosis. We present a case of a 46-year-old female with asymmetric ascending weakness, paresthesias, and acute onset urinary retention occurring after Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Of note, this patient did not present with albuminocytologic dissociation in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies. The complex presentation of her symptoms prompted a diagnosis of atypical GBS. Her diagnosis was achieved through a series of diagnostic tests ruling out other etiologies, such as meningitis and spinal cord compression syndromes. 

Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy for HIV-associated Guillain-Barré syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) added to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and ART alone in people living with human immunodeficiency virus-associated Guillain-Barré syndrome (HIV-associated GBS).

METHODS

The study was a retrospective analysis of clinical records of HIV-associated GBS patients from department of neurology at West China Hospital between January 2015 and October 2020. Patients treated with ART alone were compared with those treated with IVIG + ART. The primary outcome was the GBS disability score at 4 weeks, which was assessed with multivariable ordinal regression. Additional outcomes include the GBS disability scale at 1 week, improvement of ≥ 1 point on the GBS disability score at 1 and 4 weeks, median change in the MRC sum score at 1 and 4 weeks, number of patients who were able to walk independently at 4 weeks.

RESULTS

Two hundred and fifty-two (252) individuals living with HIV were recruited in the study. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 21 HIV-associated GBS patients were finally included, of whom 8 were treated with IVIG + ART and 13 were treated with ART alone. At the fourth weeks after treatment, the GBS disability scale grade was significantly lower in patients treated with IVIG + ART than those with ART alone (1 vs. 2, P = 0.02). The adjusted OR for a lower GBS disability scale was 10.6 (95 % CI 1.15 to 98.05; P = 0.03) for the IVIG + ART group. Moreover, 6 of 8 (75 %) patients treated with IVIG + ART were able to walk independently at four weeks after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The introduction of IVIG combined with ART may be efficacious in the treatment of HIV-infected GBS and may provide better clinical outcomes.

[Very-early and early neuroelectrophysiological features of childhood Guillain-Barré syndrome]

OBJECTIVES

To study the very-early and early neuroelectrophysiological features of childhood Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and their association with clinical diagnosis.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on the neuroelectrophysiological data of 43 children with GBS. According to the interval from onset to neuroelectrophysiological examination, the children were divided into a very-early examination group with 18 children (an interval from onset to the examination of ≤7 days) and an early examination group with 25 children (an interval from onset to the examination of 7 to ≤14 days). The children with acute flaccid paralysis, matched for the examination time of GBS children, were enrolled as the control group. The abnormal rates of neuroelectrophysiological parameters were compared between the above groups. According to the results of the H reflex test, the GBS children were divided into an abnormal H reflex group and a normal H reflex group, and related clinical data were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the very-early and early examination groups had a significantly higher abnormal rate of H reflex (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the abnormal rates of F wave, motor nerve conduction, and sensory nerve conduction (P>0.05). Compared with the normal H reflex group, the abnormal H reflex group had a significantly shorter interval from onset to the time of confirmed diagnosis (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Absence of the H reflex is a valuable parameter of neuroelectrophysiological abnormalities in the early stage of GBS and can help with the diagnosis of GBS.

AntiGQ1b antibody positive with MFS/GBS overlapped syndrome with diplopia and hemiplegia onset: Case report and retrospective analysis

RATIONALE

GBS and MFS have been divided into several subtypes, constituting a series of independent and overlapping syndromes that share similar pathophysiology, leading to common clinical features, including history of previous infection, single-phase course, symmetry, skull or limbs weakness, CFS albumin cell separation (high protein, normal cell count), antiganglioside antibodies and axon, or evidence of demyelinating neuropathy neurophysiology. Part of the MFS in patients with clinical manifestations may be complicated, and even symptoms are not typical. A few patients may overlap with BBE or GBS.

PATIENT CONCERNS

Most patients with MFS/GBS overlap syndrome have a good prognosis, and a few patients may experience fluctuations or re-exacerbations. In most patients, after treatment, their neurological function basically recovers within a few weeks or months.

DIAGNOSIS INTERVENTIONS

The patient had ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, weak force, and protein-cell separation in cerebrospinal fluid during the development of the disease. The diagnosis of MFS overlapped with typical GBS was considered. The CSF specific IgG oligoclonal zone and anti-Sulfatide antibody were positive. Anti-GT1a IgG was positive. Anti-GQ1b IgG was positive, which supported the diagnosis of GBS spectrum disorders. According to their common immunological basis, plasma exchange or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy is recommended, which can effectively improve the symptoms and shorten the course of the disease.

OUTCOMES

After treatment with glucocorticoids and gamma globulin, the symptoms improved and the patient was discharged.

LESSONS

MFS/GBS Superimposed syndrome is a rare clinical disease. Therefore, more attention should be paid to early diagnosis and treatment of similar patients to avoid misdiagnosis. Cerebral spinal fluid (CFS) examination, neuroelectrophysiology, and GQ1b antibody detection can be used to confirm the diagnosis.

Downregulation of LKB1/AMPK Signaling in Blood Mononuclear Cells Is Associated with the Severity of Guillain-Barre Syndrome

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an intracellular energy sensor that regulates metabolic and immune functions mainly through the inhibition of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR)-dependent anabolic pathways and the activation of catabolic processes such as autophagy. The AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway and autophagy markers were analyzed by immunoblotting in blood mononuclear cells of 20 healthy control subjects and 23 patients with an acute demyelinating form of Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS). The activation of the liver kinase B1 (LKB1)/AMPK/Raptor signaling axis was significantly reduced in GBS compared to control subjects. In contrast, the phosphorylated forms of mTOR activator AKT and mTOR substrate 4EBP1, as well as the levels of autophagy markers LC3-II, beclin-1, ATG5, p62/sequestosome 1, and NBR1 were similar between the two groups. The downregulation of LKB1/AMPK signaling, but not the activation status of the AKT/mTOR/4EBP1 pathway or the levels of autophagy markers, correlated with higher clinical activity and worse outcomes of GBS. A retrospective study in a diabetic cohort of GBS patients demonstrated that treatment with AMPK activator metformin was associated with milder GBS compared to insulin/sulphonylurea therapy. In conclusion, the impairment of the LKB1/AMPK pathway might contribute to the development/progression of GBS, thus representing a potential therapeutic target in this immune-mediated peripheral polyneuropathy.

Guillain-Barré syndrome and hemophagocytic syndrome heralding the diagnosis of diffuse large B cell lymphoma: A case report

BACKGROUND

Central nervous system (CNS) lesions and peripheral neuropathy are rare among patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Lymphomatous infiltration or local oppression usually accounts for CNS or peripheral nerve lesions. The incidence of peripheral neuropathy was 5%. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is rare and may occur in less than 0.3% of patients with NHL. Hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) is a rare complication of NHL. It has been reported that 1% of patients with hematological malignancies develop HPS. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) combined with GBS has been reported in 10 cases.

CASE SUMMARY

We report the case of a 53-year-old man who was initially hospitalized because of abnormal feelings in the lower limbs and urinary incontinence. He was finally diagnosed with DLBCL combined with GBS and HPS after 16 d, which was earlier than previously reported. Immunoglobulin pulse therapy, dexamethasone, and etoposide were immediately administered. The neurological symptoms did not improve, but cytopenia was relieved. However, GBS-related clinical symptoms were relieved partially after one cycle of rituximab - cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) chemotherapy and disappeared after six cycles of R-CHOP.

CONCLUSION

GBS and HPS heralding the diagnosis of Epstein-Barr virus DLBCL are rare. Herein, we report a rare case of DLBCL combined with GBS and HPS, and share our clinical experience. Traditional therapies may be effective if GBS occurs before lymphoma is diagnosed. Rapid diagnosis and treatment of DLBCL are crucial.

Electrophysiological and functional signs of Guillain-Barré syndrome predicted by a multiscale neuromuscular computational model

Objective. The diagnosis of nerve disorders in humans has relied heavily on the measurement of electrical signals from nerves or muscles in response to electrical stimuli applied at appropriate locations on the body surface. The present study investigated the demyelinating subtype of Guillain-Barré syndrome using multiscale computational model simulations to verify how demyelination of peripheral axons may affect plantar flexion torque as well as the ongoing electromyogram (EMG) during voluntary isometric or isotonic contractions. Approach. Changes in axonal conduction velocities, mimicking those found in patients with the disease at different stages, were imposed on a multiscale computational neuromusculoskeletal model to simulate subjects performing unipodal plantar flexion force and position tasks. Main results. The simulated results indicated changes in the torque signal during the early phase of the disease while performing isotonic tasks, as well as in torque variability after partial conduction block while performing both isometric and isotonic tasks. Our results also indicated changes in the root mean square values and in the power spectrum of the soleus EMG signal as well as changes in the synchronisation index computed from the firing times of the active motor units. All these quantitative changes in functional indicators suggest that the adoption of such additional measurements, such as torques and ongoing EMG, could be used with advantage in the diagnosis and be relevant in providing extra information for the neurologist about the level of the disease. Significance. Our findings enrich the knowledge of the possible ways demyelination affects force generation and position control during plantarflexion. Moreover, this work extends computational neuroscience to computational neurology and shows the potential of biologically compatible neuromuscular computational models in providing relevant quantitative signs that may be useful for diagnosis in the clinic, complementing the tools traditionally used in neurological electrodiagnosis.

No significant increase in Guillain-Barré syndrome after COVID-19 vaccination in adults: A vaccine adverse event reporting system study

Objective

To investigate the association between Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and COVID-19 vaccination.

Background

On July 13, 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a new warning that Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine could increase the risk of developing GBS.

Methods

The reporting rate of adult GBS after COVID-19 vaccination, ascertained with Brighton criteria, was compared with the reporting rate after other vaccinations during the same time period, and also compared with the reporting rate during control periods. Statistical methods such as proportion tests, and Pearson’s chi-squared test were utilized to identify significant relationships. Self-controlled and case centered analyses were conducted. A machine learning model was utilized to identify the factors associated with a worse outcome defined as emergency room (ER) or doctor visits, hospitalizations, and deaths.

Results

The reporting rate of GBS after COVID-19 vaccination was significantly higher than after influenza and other vaccinations (49.7, 0.19, 0.16 per 10 million, p < 0.0001). However, the reporting rate was within the incidence range of GBS in the general population. Using self-controlled and case centered analyses, there was a significant difference in the reporting rate of GBS after COVID-19 vaccination between the risk period and control period (p < 0.0001). There was an estimated 0.7–1.7 per million excess reports of GBS within 6 weeks of COVID-19 vaccination. Machine learning model demonstrated that female gender and age between 18 and 44 are associated with worse outcome. No association was found between the onset interval of GBS and its prognosis.

Conclusions

Although the reporting rate of GBS after COVID-19 vaccination was not statistically different than that of the general population, the increased reporting of GBS within the first 6 weeks after COVID-19 vaccination, more so than with other vaccinations, suggests that some cases of GBS are temporally associated with COVID-19 vaccination. However, there is a reduction in the reporting rate of GBS after other vaccines, compared to reporting rates pre-COVID-19, highlighting limitations inherent in any passive surveillance system. These findings warrant continuous analysis of GBS after COVID-19 vaccination. Further improvement of the machine learning model is needed for clinical use.

Pragmatic guide to peripheral nerve disease and the role of clinical biomarkers

In clinical neurology practice, there are few sensitive, specific and responsive serological biomarkers reflecting pathological processes affecting the peripheral nervous system. Instead, we rely on surrogate multimodality biomarkers for diagnosis and management. Correct use and interpretation of the available tests is essential to ensure that appropriate treatments are used and adjusted in a timely fashion. The incorrect application or interpretation of biomarkers can result in misdiagnosis and delays in appropriate treatment. Here, we discuss the uses and limitations of such biomarkers and discuss possible future developments.