Guillain‐Barré syndrome following pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza A immunisation in Victoria: a self‐controlled case series

Background. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is the most common cause of flaccid paralysis, with about 100,000 people developing the disorder every year worldwide. Recently, the incidence of GBS has increased during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemics. We reviewed the literature to give a comprehensive overview of the demographic characteristics, clinical features, diagnostic investigations, and outcome of SARS-CoV-2-related GBS patients. Methods. Embase, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Central Trials Register were systematically searched on 24 September 2020 for studies reporting on GBS secondary to COVID-19. Results. We identified 63 articles; we included 32 studies in our review. A total of 41 GBS cases with a confirmed or probable COVID-19 infection were reported: 26 of them were single case reports and 6 case series. Published studies on SARS-CoV-2-related GBS typically report a classic sensorimotor type of GBS often with a demyelinating electrophysiological subtype. Miller Fisher syndrome was reported in a quarter of the cases. In 78.1% of the cases, the response to immunomodulating therapy is favourable. The disease course is frequently severe and about one-third of the patients with SARS-CoV-2-associated GBS requires mechanical ventilation and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission. Rarely the outcome is poor or even fatal (10.8% of the cases). Conclusion. Clinical presentation, course, response to treatment, and outcome are similar in SARS-CoV-2-associated GBS and GBS due to other triggers.

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SERIAL NERVE CONDUCTION STUDIES IN A GUILLAIN-BARRÉ SYNDROME VARIANT: THE EVOLUTION OF DEMYELINATING CHANGES

Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry ◽

10.1136/jnnp-2015-312379.66 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 86 (11) ◽

pp. e4.158-e4

Author(s):

Catherine Morgan ◽

Benjamin Wakerley ◽

Geraint Fuller

Keyword(s):

Nerve Conduction ◽

Case Series ◽

Pathological Process ◽

Nerve Conduction Studies ◽

Guillain Barre Syndrome ◽

Facial Weakness ◽

Guillain Barré Syndrome ◽

Guillain Barré ◽

Underlying Pathology ◽

Serial Assessments

Guillain Barré syndrome (GBS) varies both in terms of clinical phenotype and underlying pathology. Serial assessments allow greater understanding of the pathophysiology. The evolution of neurophysiological changes is particularly helpful in distinguishing between demyelination and reversible axonal conduction failure.Bilateral facial weakness with distal paraesthesias is a rare subtype of GBS. In the largest case series 64% had abnormalities in motor and 27% in sensory conduction on single neurophysiological assessments; this was interpreted as a demyelinating neuropathy.We report an 18-year-old male with bilateral lower motor neurone facial weakness preceded by distal paraesthesias following a ‘flu-like illness. Examination of power and sensation was normal. Deep tendon reflexes were present. Cerebrospinal fluid showed albuminocytologic dissociation. By 6 weeks his facial weakness had almost completely resolved without treatment.Serial nerve conduction studies were performed. The first study (day 4) found prolonged distal motor latency and delayed F waves in posterior tibial and common peroneal nerves; normal sensory studies. Second study (day 18) found distal motor latencies and F waves had increased in upper and lower limb nerves. Third study (day 60) found improvement but abnormalities remained with changes similar to the first study.The neurophysiological changes became more marked while he improved clinically. These serial studies confirmed the primary pathological process of this GBS variant to be demyelination.

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