RESUMO
Guillain Barre Syndrome [GBS] is an inflammatory, usually demyelinating, polyneuropathy where autoantibodies have been detected. It is usually preceded by various bacterial and viral infections including cytomegalo virus [CMV]. Cytomegalo virus infection has been associated with the production of autoantibodies and autoimmune reactions. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible association between CMV infection and GBS. Twenty five patients with GBS were recruited from the paediatric intensive care unit at Mansoura University Children's Hospital. As a control group 25 age and sex matched children with other diseases admitted to the same hospital at the same time, were included in our study. Serum samples were collected before treatment from each patient [within 4 weeks after the disease onset] and controls, and stored frozen at -20?C until PCR and serologic assays were done. Serologic testing and PCR of pre-treatment serum were performed in all patients. Positive titer of virus specific IgM antibody against cytomegalovirus [CMV] was found in 11 cases [44%] which was statistically significant when compared to the control group [4%] p=.001, PCR was found positive for CMV DNA in 12 [48%] patients and 1 control [4%]. We hereby report a significant association between positive CMV infection and GBS. Our results provide further evidence that CMV can be associated with GBS