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Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare neurological disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves, potentially causing paralysis.

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Things worth knowing about "Guillain-Barré Syndrome"

Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare neurological disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves, potentially causing paralysis.

What Is Guillain-Barré Syndrome?

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare but serious disorder of the peripheral nervous system. The body´s immune system mistakenly attacks its own nerve fibers, causing inflammation and damage to the myelin sheath (the protective coating of nerves) or, in some cases, to the nerve axons themselves. This can lead to muscle weakness, numbness, and in severe cases, complete paralysis. The condition is named after French neurologists Georges Guillain and Jean Alexandre Barré, who first described it in 1916.

Causes

Guillain-Barré syndrome is an autoimmune disease. In most cases, it develops days to weeks after an infection. The immune system produces antibodies to fight the infection, which then mistakenly target the body´s own nerve structures — a process known as molecular mimicry.

Common triggers include respiratory or gastrointestinal infections, especially Campylobacter jejuni
Other known triggers: Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, influenza, SARS-CoV-2
Rarely: vaccinations, surgery, or pregnancy have been reported as possible triggers
In some cases, no specific cause can be identified

Symptoms

Symptoms of GBS typically develop over days to a few weeks, usually beginning in the legs before spreading upward throughout the body.

Early Symptoms

Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet
Muscle weakness beginning in the legs
Pain in the lower back or limbs

Advanced Symptoms

Ascending paralysis that may affect the arms, trunk, and face
Difficulty swallowing or speaking
Respiratory failure in severe cases
Autonomic nervous system disturbances: irregular heartbeat, blood pressure fluctuations
Loss of deep tendon reflexes (e.g., knee-jerk reflex)

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome is based on the clinical presentation and confirmed by specific diagnostic tests.

Lumbar puncture (spinal tap): Cerebrospinal fluid analysis typically shows elevated protein levels with a normal cell count — a hallmark finding in GBS.
Nerve conduction studies (NCS) and electromyography (EMG): These tests detect impaired nerve conduction and help identify the specific GBS subtype.
Blood tests: Used to rule out other conditions and detect specific antibodies (e.g., anti-ganglioside antibodies in certain variants).
Clinical presentation: Ascending bilateral weakness and absent or reduced reflexes are the key diagnostic features.

Variants of Guillain-Barré Syndrome

There are several subtypes of GBS, differing in their clinical presentation and the type of nerve structure affected:

Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP): The most common form in Europe and North America, characterized by immune attack on the myelin sheath.
Acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN): Directly affects the nerve axons and is more prevalent in Asia and South America.
Miller Fisher syndrome: A rare variant presenting with eye muscle weakness, loss of coordination, and absent reflexes.

Treatment

Guillain-Barré syndrome is a medical emergency requiring hospital admission and close monitoring, as symptoms can deteriorate rapidly. There is no cure, but specific therapies can significantly shorten the duration and reduce the severity of the disease.

Specific Immunotherapies

Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG): High-dose antibody preparations that suppress the misdirected immune response. This is considered the standard treatment.
Plasmapheresis (plasma exchange): The blood plasma is filtered to remove harmful antibodies. This is also an established and effective treatment option.

Supportive Care

Intensive care monitoring for respiratory failure, with mechanical ventilation if necessary
Pain management (e.g., with gabapentin or pregabalin)
Physiotherapy and occupational therapy to restore mobility and function
Prevention of complications such as deep vein thrombosis and pressure sores

Prognosis and Outlook

The majority of people with GBS recover fully or nearly fully, although the process can take months to years. Approximately 80% of patients are able to walk independently within six months. A small proportion of patients experience lasting neurological deficits. The mortality rate in specialized centers is approximately 3–5%, most often due to complications such as respiratory failure or infections.

References

van den Berg B et al. - Guillain-Barré syndrome: pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Nature Reviews Neurology, 2014.
Willison HJ, Jacobs BC, van Doorn PA - Guillain-Barré syndrome. The Lancet, 2016.
World Health Organization (WHO) - Guillain-Barré syndrome fact sheet. Available at: www.who.int

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