Guillain-Barré Syndrome Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Case Report

A review of the potential neurological adverse events of COVID-19 vaccines

Despite the advantages of getting access to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, their potential ability to induce severe adverse events (AEs) has been a significant concern. Neurological complications are significant among the various adverse events following immunization (AEFI) due to their likely durability and debilitating sequelae. Neurological AEs following COVID-19 vaccination can either exacerbate or induce new-onset neuro-immunologic diseases, such as myasthenia gravis (MG) and Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). The more severe spectrum of AEs post-COVID19 vaccines has included seizures, reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, strokes, GBS, Bell's palsy, transverse myelitis (TM), and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). Here, we discuss each of these neurological adverse effects separately.

Research output of Iran over the past two years: Contributions from the European Journal of Translational Myology

Over the last two decades, all branches of science and technology have rapidly progressed, including the medical area. In Middle Eastern countries, including Iran, the increased growth of technology and science production has led to this rapid medical progress. Recent evidence has revealed that the increase in the number of scientific papers generated in Iran after the Iraqi imposed war against Iran has been eight times that in six main countries in the Middle East, including Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Syria. Although Iran’s output in sciences has been still small in comparison to developed countries, it has significantly grown in the last decade, which is hoped to continue to increase and improve. The current paper shows a portion of the science production in Iran over the past two years based on papers published in the European Journal of Translational Myology in 2020 and 2021. Although the Issue 32(1), 2022 in a special section contains several typescripts from Iran, they were not included in our analysis since they have not been yet indexed in the Scopus database. However, our report would encourage researchers of diverse nationalities to take part in research works and author joint papers. Further, this paper can be used to rate the universities and research centers regarding their science output, as well as being beneficial to university students, lecturers, and governments.

Consider differentials before diagnosing COVID-19 associated polyradiculitis

Evidence is accumulating that SARS-CoV-2 infections and SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations can induce Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). More than 400 GBS cases after SARS-CoV-2 infection respectively vaccination have been reported as per the end of 2021. GBS is usually diagnosed according to the Brighton criteria, but also the Besta criteria or Hadden criteria are applied. The diagnosis can be supported by MRI with contrast medium of the cranial or spinal nerves showing enhancing nerve roots. As GBS can be complicated by autonomic dysfunction such as pupillary abnormalities, salivatory dysfunction, reduced heart rate variability, bowel disturbance (constipation, diarrhea), urinary hesitancy, urinary retention, or impotence, it is crucial to investigate GBS patients for autonomic involvement. Before diagnosing GBS various differentials need to be excluded, including neuropathy as a side effect of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 medication, critical ill neuropathy in COVID-19 patients treated on the ICU, and compression neuropathy in COVID-19 patients requiring long-term ventilation.