Your browser doesn't support javascript.
Guillain-Barré syndrome following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in the UK: a prospective surveillance study.
Tamborska, Arina A; Singh, Bhagteshwar; Leonhard, Sonja E; Hodel, Eva Maria; Stowe, Julia; Watson-Fargie, Taylor; Fernandes, Peter M; Themistocleous, Andreas C; Roelofs, Jacob; Brennan, Kathryn; Morrice, Caroline; Michael, Benedict D; Jacobs, Bart C; McDonald, Helen; Solomon, Tom.
  • Tamborska AA; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit for Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
  • Singh B; Department of Neurology, The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK.
  • Leonhard SE; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit for Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
  • Hodel EM; Tropical and Infectious Diseases Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
  • Stowe J; Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
  • Watson-Fargie T; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit for Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
  • Fernandes PM; Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
  • Themistocleous AC; UK Health Security Agency, London, UK.
  • Roelofs J; Institute of Neurological Sciences, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK.
  • Brennan K; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
  • Morrice C; Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurociences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
  • Michael BD; Neurosciences Centre, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
  • Jacobs BC; Institute of Neurological Sciences, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK.
  • McDonald H; GAIN (Guillain-Barré & Associated Inflammatory Neuropathies) Charity, Sleaford, UK.
  • Solomon T; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit for Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
BMJ Neurol Open ; 4(2): e000309, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1932719
ABSTRACT

Objective:

To investigate features of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) following SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and evaluate for a causal link between the two.

Methods:

We captured cases of GBS after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination through a national, open-access, online surveillance system. For each case, the certainty of GBS was graded using the Brighton criteria, and the relationship to the vaccine was examined using modified WHO Causality Assessment criteria. We compared age distribution of cases with that of prepandemic GBS cases and clinical features with the International GBS Outcome Study (IGOS).

Results:

Between 1 January and 30 June 2021, we received 67 reports of GBS following the ChAdOx1 vaccine (65 first doses) and three reports following the BNT162b2 vaccine (all first doses). The causal association with the vaccine was classified as probable for 56 (80%, all ChAdOx1), possible for 12 (17%, 10 ChAdOx1) and unlikely for two (3%, 1 ChAdOx1). A greater proportion of cases occurred in the 50-59 age group in comparison with prepandemic GBS. Most common clinical variants were sensorimotor GBS (n=55; 79%) and facial diplegia with paraesthesias (n=10; 14%). 10% (n=7/69) of patients reported an antecedent infection, compared with 77% (n=502/652) of the IGOS cohort (p<0.00001). Facial weakness (63% (n=44/70) vs 36% (n=220/620); p<0.00001) and sensory dysfunction (93% (n=63/68) vs 69% (n=408/588); p=0.00005) were more common but disease severity and outcomes were similar to the IGOS study.

Interpretation:

Most reports of GBS followed the first dose of ChAdOx1 vaccine. While our study cannot confirm or refute causation, this observation, together with the absence of alternative aetiologies, different than expected age distribution and the presence of unusual clinical features support a causal link. Clinicians and surveillance bodies should remain vigilant to the possibility of this very rare adverse event and its atypical variants.
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Cohort study / Etiology study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Topics: Vaccines / Variants Language: English Journal: BMJ Neurol Open Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Bmjno-2022-000309

Similar

MEDLINE

...
LILACS

LIS


Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Cohort study / Etiology study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Topics: Vaccines / Variants Language: English Journal: BMJ Neurol Open Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Bmjno-2022-000309