Effectiveness of Symptomatic Physiotherapy in Enhancing the Psychological Parameters of a Patient With Guillain-Barré Syndrome: A Case Report.

Guillain-Barré syndrome is a polyneuropathy that can be caused by an autoimmune condition or a bacterial infection. In typical GBS cases, there is hypo- or areflexia, symmetrical limb weakness that worsens within four weeks of the symptoms. The facial nerve is involved in this situation, which results in weak facial muscles, which, in turn, affect facial emotions and movements. In this case study, a 21-year-old athlete who suffered from unexpected weakness that resulted in quadriplegia had goal-oriented physical therapy treatment designed for the patient, who recovered quickly. This case study aims to emphasize how goal-oriented physical therapy treatment can help patients recover quickly.

Acute Motor Axonal Neuropathy in Lupus Nephritis.

A prevalent clinical scenario is provided in this case study, in which a 22-year-old lady with a five-year history of lupus nephritis with acute motor axonal neuropathy presents for therapy. The patient received immunomodulator medication and steroids to control her symptoms to keep up with her everyday life despite the absence of comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and hypothyroidism. No laboratory measures were changed, including hemoglobin, serum creatinine, or thyroid function. Examining the nervous system indicated a potentially harmful consequence, underscoring the significance of prompt investigation and treatment. This research highlighted the importance of attention in cases with lupus nephritis, showing how early medical care can prevent serious neurological problems and contribute to the patient's general well-being.

Guillain-Barré syndrome post-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine: a systematic review and data analysis on its clinical, laboratory, electrophysiological, and radiological features.

Introduction: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare disease that affects almost 0.8-1.9 cases per 100,000 people worldwide every year. This is the most prevalent cause of subacute flaccid paralyzing illness today. It is a subacute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy; the typical scenario involves ascending symmetrical flaccid paralysis, but in some circumstances, sensory, autonomic, and cranial neuropathy may also be involved. Several vaccines have been found to have complications since the previous century. Numerous case reports of GBS in the literature have been reported following COVID-19 vaccines in recent times. Objective: This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive examination of GBS cases that have been reported after COVID-19 vaccines; to analyze the descriptive statistical analysis of data gathered regarding clinical, laboratory, electrophysiological, and radiological characteristics; to discuss, based on the available evidence, whether the disease has a preference for a particular vaccine type; and to speculate on the potential pathogenesis. Methodology: This review has been carried out by recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Result: Reviewing 60 case reports illustrated that most of them are from the USA (18.1%) and the majority of affected individuals were males (60%). The results favored the association between vector-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, particularly AstraZeneca vaccine, and the GBS. The mean of symptoms onset is 11.4 days. The results of diagnostic tests such as LP are consistent mostly with albumin-cytological dissociation (81.81%), where brain and spine MRI was unremarkable in 59.52%. Regarding electrodiagnostic tests, AIDP is the most common variant (61.81%). The management was not consistent among the case reports. However, IVIG is the most frequent way of treating these patients (68.33%). The functional outcome was documented in 47 patients; 65% improved with medical management. Conclusion: This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of reported cases of GBS following COVID-19 vaccines and descriptive statistical analysis of collected data on clinical, laboratory, electrophysiological, and radiological features, to discuss, based on available results, whether the disease has a predilection to a specific vaccine type and to speculate the potential pathogenesis.

The pathophysiological role of endoneurial inflammatory edema in early classical Guillain-Barré syndrome.

The objective of this review was to analyze the pathophysiological role of endoneurial inflammatory edema in initial stages of classic Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), arbitrarily divided into very early GBS (≤ 4 days after symptom onset) and early GBS (≤ 10 days). Classic GBS, with variable degree of flaccid and areflexic tetraparesis, encompasses demyelinating and axonal forms. Initial autopsy studies in early GBS have demonstrated that endoneurial inflammatory edema of proximal nerve trunks, particularly spinal nerves, is the outstanding lesion. Variable permeability of the blood-nerve barrier dictates such lesion topography. In proximal nerve trunks possessing epi-perineurium, edema may increase the endoneurial fluid pressure causing ischemic changes. Critical analysis the first pathological description of the axonal form GBS shows a combination of axonal degeneration and demyelination in spinal roots, and pure Wallerian-like degeneration in peripheral nerve trunks. This case might be reclassified as demyelinating GBS with secondary axonal degeneration. Both in acute motor axonal neuropathy and acute motor-sensory axonal neuropathy, Wallerian-like degeneration of motor fibers predominates in the distal part of ventral spinal roots abutting the dura mater, another feature re-emphasizing the pathogenic relevance of this area. Electrophysiological and imaging studies also point to a predominant alteration at the spinal nerve level, which is a hotspot in any early GBS subtype. Serum biomarkers of axonal damage, including neurofilament light chain and peripherin, are increased in the great majority of patients with any early GBS subtype; endoneurial ischemia of proximal nerve trunks could contribute to such axonal damage. It is concluded that inflammatory edema of proximal nerve trunks is an essential pathogenic event in early GBS, which has a tangible impact for accurate approach to the disease.

Evaluating yield and utilization of ganglioside antibody testing in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Ganglioside antibodies can help diagnose distinct acute and chronic inflammatory neuropathies including axonal variants of Guillain-Barre syndrome, Miller-Fisher syndrome (MFS), multifocal motor neuropathy, and chronic sensory ataxic neuropathies. Because ganglioside antibody testing may be routinely ordered in patients with suspected inflammatory neuropathy, we sought to evaluate its yield and utilization in clinical practice. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients at London Health Sciences Centre who underwent ganglioside antibody testing between April 2019 and August 2023. The disease phenotype was determined for each patient, and the proportion of all tests that yielded a true-positive result was calculated. Ganglioside antibody positivity was classified as a true-positive result if the disease phenotype was robustly associated with the detected ganglioside antibody and there was no other more likely diagnosis. RESULTS: We identified 92 patients who underwent ganglioside antibody testing. One patient (1%) was classified as having a true-positive result; this patient had GQ1b-IgG positivity with MFS. Among 92 patients tested, 20 patients (22%) had a disease phenotype that was considered to be robustly associated with ganglioside antibody positivity. CONCLUSIONS: The yield of ganglioside antibody testing in clinical practice is low. We found that this testing is frequently ordered in patients with disease phenotypes that are not robustly associated with ganglioside antibody positivity, indicating that suboptimal test utilization is a primary contributor to its low yield. Restricting ganglioside antibody testing to patients with characteristic disease phenotypes would be valuable to improving yield and utilization of this testing.

The characteristics of Guillain-Barre syndrome in children in pre-COVID-19 and during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

Background and Aims: In the pathophysiology of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), inflammation and immunity are believed to play a key role. The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) have been recently identified as potential markers of inflammation or immunity. This study aimed to investigate whether NLR, MLR, and PLR are associated with GBS characteristics in children. We also assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the characteristics of GBS in Iran. Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we reviewed the records of all 150 children diagnosed with GBS in the Children's Medical Center hospital affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) from March 2017 until March 2022. The TUMS research ethics committee approved the study (Ethics code: IR.TUMS.CHMC.REC.1399.125). Patients' data including gender, age, clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, and electrodiagnostic study results were collected and analyzed. Results: This study involved 150 children, comprising 93 boys and 57 girls, with an average age of 7.53 ± 3.75 years. The analysis demonstrated that the number of hospitalization days increased with an increase in NLR (p = 0.025). Moreover, patients with abnormal electrodiagnostic study patterns had a higher risk of intensive care unit (ICU) admission (p: 0.027), although according to binary logistic regression, respiratory failure at admission time was the only significant factor increasing the risk of ICU admission (p = 0.035). The study also found that the pandemic has resulted in a shift from acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy to acute motor axonal neuropathy as the most common EMG-NCV pattern in our patients (p < 0.001). Conclusion: We found that higher NLR was associated with a longer hospitalization duration and could potentially distinguish between severe and mild cases of GBS. We have also shown that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed our patients' most frequent electromyography and nerve conduction velocity (EMG-NCV) patterns.

Practice of gait training using lower-limb orthosis and body weight-supported walker for severe acute motor axonal neuropathy: a case report.

Kikkawa T, Takashima A. Practice of gait training using lower-limb orthosis and body weight-supported walker for severe acute motor axonal neuropathy: a case report. Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 2023; 14: 49-53. Introduction: Acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) requires aggressive gait rehabilitation from the early phase of its onset due to the long time required to achieve independent gait. In this report, we describe the progress of gait training using a combination of lower-limb orthosis and body weight-supported (BWS) walker in a patient with severe AMAN. Case: A 30-year-olds man diagnosed with AMAN underwent two high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin treatments and combined steroid pulse therapy. The patient was admitted to the convalescent rehabilitation ward for 87 days with a Medical Research Council (MRC) score of 7 points for muscle strength and 13 points for Functional Independence Measure (FIM) motor items. He started gait training with a knee-ankle-foot orthosis on the 128th day. Thereafter, the distance of gait training increased with the use of lower-limb orthosis and BWS walker. At the time of discharge, the patient's MRC score had improved to 24 points and his FIM motor items score to 31 points. He was able to walk 90 m using ankle-foot orthosis and forearm walker and was transferred to a rehabilitation facility on day 237. Discussion: Gait training with lower-limb orthosis and BWS walker was performed on a patient with severe AMAN. As a result, gait training distance increased without adverse events. Gait training can be performed safely and effectively by combining lower-limb orthosis and BWS walker when gait ability is expected to improve, even in severely ill patients.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome in Adults in a Decade: The Largest, Single-Center, Cross-Sectional Study From the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is the most common cause of acute, usually post-infectious, peripheral neuropathy resulting in a symmetrical, ascending paralysis. We evaluated the clinical and neurophysiological features, treatment, and outcomes of patients with GBS in our center. METHODS: A retrospective chart review on patients with GBS admitted to King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from January 2011 to December 2020. Data were analyzed using JMP statistical software version 15 pro. RESULTS: A total of 86 patients who met the criteria were included, 55 (64%) were males, with a mean age of 49.5+/-17.5 years. Antecedent infection was reported in 53 (61.6%), 51 (62.2%) presented within one week of symptoms onset. Ascending weakness was seen in 55 (70.5%), while 70 (81.4%) had areflexia. Acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) was the commonest electrophysiological type of GBS in 41 (51.9%) patients. Albuminocytologic dissociation was seen in 48 (57%) who had lumbar puncture. Nearly half, 41 (47.7%) were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Seventy (81.3%) were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin. There was no significant difference in the clinical presentation, management, ICU requirement, and discharge disposition between males and females. Females were more likely to have a higher disability at discharge (p=0.01). Patients younger than 60 years were more likely to require ICU admission (p=<0.01). CONCLUSION: Our patients with GBS were slightly older than previously reported from the region. AMAN was the commonest type of GBS. Younger patients were more likely to need ICU admission, whereas females were more likely to have a more severe disability.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves recovery at acute motor axonal neuropathy case.

Acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) is a rare immune-mediated disorder characterized by acute flaccid paralysis with elevated levels of GM1 antibodies. It is also known as a subtype of the Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and develops since antigen s serve as antibodies in the spinal cord. We report a case diagnosed as AMAN with symptoms of ascending limb symmetrical weakness. A neurological examination revealed a flaccid paralysis with multiple cranial nerve palsies. Electromyography showed an axonal type of GBS. The patient refused bone marrow fluid aspiration. Intravenous immunoglobulin was administered at the high care unit. Unfortunately, despite the standard therapy, an optimal recovery was not obtained. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy has been known to be common in illnesses and some clinical diseases. Although it has not been indicated for peripheral neuropathy, a remarkable recovery was soon visible in the HBO-treated AMAN case. The HBO mechanisms involved here are anti-inflammation and immunomodulation.

Acute motor axonal neuropathy following SARS-CoV-2 infection in the third trimester of pregnancy.

Neurological complications following SARS-CoV-2 infections are increasingly recognized. Despite that, sequelae from SARS-CoV-2 infection in gravid women are uncommonly reported. We present a case of acute motor axonal neuropathy, a variant of Guillain-Barre syndrome, in a 26-year-old primigravida at 34 weeks' gestation. She presented with worsening diplopia, dysphagia, and lower extremity sensory and motor deficits after testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 2 weeks earlier. Due to rapidly progressive symptoms, she required endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Initially she was diagnosed with Miller Fisher syndrome, but serology and electromyography studies were consistent with acute motor axonal neuropathy. Spontaneous preterm delivery, supportive care, and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy resulted in clinical improvement. Steady recovery was achieved by a prolonged rehabilitation program.

Elevated monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio correlates with clinical severity in acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy patients.

While monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) has been reported to be associated with nervous system lesions, the role of MHR has not been determined in patients with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). The purpose of our study was to explore the role of MHR in patients with GBS. A total of 52 GBS patients were involved in the study retrospectively, including patients with acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP), acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN), and acute motor sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN). We used Hughes Functional Grading Scale (HFGS) score to evaluate functional status in GBS patients. Among patients with different subtypes of GBS, MHR was significantly elevated in those with demyelination compared to patients without demyelination (p < 0.001); AIDP patients had an increased MHR compared with AMAN or AMSAN patients (p = 0.001; p = 0.013). There was a positive correlation between MHR and HFGS score (r = 0.463, p = 0.006) in AIDP patients, but not in AMAN or AMSAN. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that MHR was independently associated with HFGS score (beta = 0.405, p = 0.013) in AIDP patients. Our study suggests that MHR as an inflammatory marker is elevated in patients with AIDP compared to AMAN or AMSAN patients, while MHR has a positive correlation with clinical severity in AIDP patients, suggesting that MHR may provide an additional information to reflect the pathophysiology of AIDP.

[Finger drop variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome: a case report].

We report the case of a 31-year-old man with a finger drop variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The patient visited a neurological clinic with complaints of difficulty in extending the fingers, which occurred seven days after he had fever and diarrhea. The physician who first saw the patient suspected posterior interosseous nerve palsy and referred him to our hospital. Neurological examination 35 days after the onset revealed distal weakness of the upper extremities, particularly in the bilateral extensor digitorum (Medical Research Council [MRC] scale 1/1 [right/left]). The left triceps surae muscle was also weak (MRC scale 5/4). Bilateral Achilles tendon reflexes were absent, but other neurological findings were normal. Cerebrospinal fluid examination showed albuminocytologic dissociation. Serum immunoglobulin G antibodies against GM1 were positive. Nerve conduction studies revealed reduced amplitude of compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) without evidence of demyelination in the median, ulnar, radial, and tibial nerves. CMAP amplitude was most severely reduced in the radial nerve among the upper extremity nerves. We diagnosed the patient with acute motor axonal neuropathy. His symptoms gradually improved after treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin. When encountering acute finger drop, neurologists should consider the finger drop variant of GBS as a differential diagnosis.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) complicated by rhabdomyolysis (RML): Case reports of 2 children and literature review.

We initially described two children who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) complicated by rhabdomyolysis (RML), and reviewed five adult patients from the literature. Through analysis of the clinical features, laboratory examination, treatment and prognostic data from these seven patients, we found that when GBS "meets" RML, the most prominent characteristics were the following: male dominance; limb weakness, pain and respiratory failure could be caused by multiple factors; limb weakness and respiratory muscle paralysis were more serious than with GBS alone; and the probability of mechanical ventilation was increased. Neuroelectrophysiological studies revealed axonal lesions. Close monitoring and timely identification and intervention to remedy potentially fatal complications such as electrolyte disorder multisystem complications and kidney injury are crucial. With plasma exchange, peritoneal dialysis and supportive treatment, the long-term outcome of most patients was satisfactory.

Concomitant Guillain-Barré Syndrome in a young Sri Lankan male with severe ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: Guillain-Barré Syndrome is an immune mediated polyneuropathy. Ulcerative Colitis is an immune mediated chronic inflammatory condition mainly of the large intestine. Guillain-Barré Syndrome can present as a rare extraintestinal manifestation of Ulcerative Colitis when in remission or in a relapse. However, the concomitant presentation of Guillain-Barré Syndrome during a relapse of Ulcerative Colitis is very rare and only a few cases are reported to date. CASE PRESENTATION: A 24 year old young male diagnosed of Ulcerative Colitis presented with bloody diarrhea of frequency more than six times a day. He had been in clinical remission even after defaulting treatment for more than a year. He had also noted difficulty in walking prior to admission to the hospital. He was managed as for a severe relapse of Ulcerative Colitis and Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Appropriate management of both the illnesses helped him to recover. CONCLUSION: Immune mediated diseases can have rare coexisting presentations. We report a case of Ulcerative Colitis with concomitant Guillain-Barré Syndrome. It is essential to be open minded and timely, appropriate treatment led to successful management of both the illnesses.

Guillain-Barré syndrome in children - High occurrence of Miller Fisher syndrome in East Asian region.

BACKGROUND: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare acquired immune-mediated polyneuropathy. Updated population-based data concerning paediatric GBS is needed. METHODS: Paediatric patients aged below 18 years diagnosed with GBS between 2009 and 2018 in all 11 paediatric departments in Hong Kong were identified from the Hong Kong Hospital Authority Clinical Data Analysis and Reporting System. The collected data from medical health records were reviewed by paediatric neurologist from each department. Estimated incidence of paediatric GBS was calculated. We also compared our findings with other paediatric GBS studies in Asia. RESULTS: 63 subjects of paediatric GBS were identified, giving an estimated annual incidence of 0.62 per 100,000 population. Half of the subjects had acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) (n = 31; 49.2%), one quarter had Miller Fisher Syndrome (MFS) (n = 16; 25.4%), one-fifth had axonal types of GBS (n = 12; 19.0%), and four were unclassified. Paediatric subjects with axonal subtypes of GBS compared to the other 2 subtypes, had significantly higher intensive care unit (ICU) admission rates (p = 0.001) and longest length of stay (p = 0.009). With immunomodulating therapy, complete recovery was highest in those with MFS (100%), followed by AIDP (87.1%) and axonal GBS (75%). Our study also confirms a higher MFS rate for paediatric GBS in East Asia region and our study has the highest MFS rate (25.4%). CONCLUSION: Our population-based 10-year paediatric GBS study provides updated evidence on estimated incidence, healthcare burden and motor outcome of each subtype of paediatric GBS and confirmed a higher occurrence of paediatric MFS in East Asia.

Nodopathies in the Early Diagnosis of Axonal Forms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

Introduction: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) has been classified into demyelinating and axonal subtypes or forms, such as acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) and regional pharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant (PCBv). Objective: To study the relationship between motor nerve conduction blocks (CBs) and prognosis in AMAN and PCBv. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed six cases of AMAN and PCBv with serial nerve conduction studies (NCS) and electromyography (EMG). Results: The serial NCS (1st-2nd and 3rd week) showed, as the most constant data, a decreased amplitude of the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) in 100% of cases. CBs were present in 66.6% of cases. EMG (3rd week) showed signs of severe denervation in 33.3%. All patients were treated from the 1st-2nd week of evolution with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIGs). Patients with CBs (1st-2nd and 3rd week), showed reversible CBs or reversible conduction failure (RCF) and complete recovery at 1 month. Patients without CBs, with persistent reduced distal CMAP amplitude (dCMAP), showed severe acute denervation due to axonal degeneration (3rd week and 1st-3rd month) and a slow recovery of several months. Conclusions: Not all axonal forms of GBS have a poor prognosis. This study of AMAN and PCBv shows that patients with CBs can have reversible CBs or RCF, and good prognosis. Patients without CBs, with persistent reduction of dCMAP amplitude decrement, have severe acute denervation, and a worse prognosis. AMAN and PCBv have a continuous spectrum ranging from CBs due to dysfunction/disruption of Nodes of Ranvier, called nodopathies, with reversible CBs or RCF and good prognosis, to axonal degeneration with worse prognosis.

A Rare Case of COVID-19-Induced Chronic Demyelinating Polyneuropathy.

Chronic autoimmune demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a rare autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the myelin sheaths. Myelin sheaths are the fatty insulation covering and protecting the nerves, and damage to these can lead to neurological symptoms like numbness, tingling, and weakness. CIDP is a chronic disease in the Guillain-Barré syndrome spectrum. Numerous case reports of autoimmune diseases linked to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been seen since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic. We present one such challenging case of COVID-19-induced CIDP.

Lesion Localization and Prognosis Using Electrodiagnostic Studies in Facial Diplegia: A Rare Variant of Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

Background The etiology of facial nerve palsy is diverse and includes herpes zoster virus, Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), otitis media, Lyme disease, sarcoidosis, human immunodeficiency virus, etc. The lower motor neuron type facial nerve palsy is usually caused by an ipsilateral facial nerve lesion; however, it may be caused by a central lesion of the facial nerve nucleus and tract in the pons. Facial diplegia is an extremely rare condition that occurs in approximately 0.3% to 2.0% of all facial palsies. Electrodiagnostic studies including direct facial nerve conduction, facial electromyography (EMG), and blink reflex studies are useful for the prognosis and lesion localization in facial nerve palsy. Methodology This retrospective, observational study was conducted at the Neurophysiology Unit, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar. This study included 11 patients with bilateral facial weakness who visited for electrodiagnostic studies in the neurophysiology laboratory. Results In total, eight (72.7%) patients had facial diplegia, eight (72.7%) had hypo/areflexia, seven (63.6%) had facial numbness, and five (45.5%) had cerebrospinal fluid albuminocytological dissociation. The most frequent cause of facial diplegia in this study was GBS (81.9%). Direct facial nerve conduction stimulation showed that nine (81.8%) patients had bilateral facial nerve low compound muscle action potential amplitudes. The bilateral blink reflex study showed that eight (88.8%) patients had absent bilateral evoked responses. Finally, the EMG study showed that five (55.5%) patients had active denervation in bilateral sample facial muscles. Conclusions Bilateral facial nerve palsy is an extremely rare condition with a varied etiology. Electrodiagnostic studies are useful in detecting the underlying pathophysiologic processes, prognosis, and central or peripheral lesion localization in patients with facial diplegia.

Regional Differences of Guillain-Barré Syndrome in China: From South to North.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiological features of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) were different in different areas; a comparison of the disease was needed to identify the variation and prognosis. We compare the epidemiological features of GBS in different areas in China. METHOD: A total of 1,191 patients were included. Information was collected in patients diagnosed with GBS and its variants in middle and south China, and then retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into four different regions: East China (n = 441), Center China (n = 566), South China (n = 77), and Southwest China (n = 107). These subregions are mainly divided by climate and geographical location. These data were compared with data from a study in East China (Shandong, n = 150) and Northeast China (Changchun, n = 750). RESULTS: Patients from the south and southwest China were younger than other regions (P = 0.000). A summer peak and an autumn peak were found in northern China, but more patients in winter and spring days in other areas (P = 0.000). Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) was the preceding event of GBS patients in all regions but rarer in central China (P = 0.001). The proportion of axonal subtype was higher in central and southwest China than in other regions (P = 0.001). Patients in southwest China were more served at nadir and have the longest hospital stay (P = 0.003 and P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: The difference between seasonal variation and preceding events was found in different regions in China; clinical features differ among regions in China.

Acute motor axonal neuropathy following anti-rabies human diploid cell vaccine: A rare case and review

Rationale: Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS) is an acute neurological illness leading to quadriparesis with respiratory involvement. It can be triggered by infections, vaccinations, surgery, trauma, transplantation and drugs. Anti-rabies cell culture vaccines introduced to overcome the high rate of neurological complications associated with tissue based rabies vaccine, can be very rarely associated with GBS. Patient concerns: A 50-year-old female presented with acute severe upper back pain evolving into pure motor quadriparesis following administration of human diploid cell vaccine for rabies. Diagnosis: Acute motor axonal neuropathy variant of GBS following anti-rabies human diploid cell vaccine. Interventions: Intravenous high dose steroids. Outcomes: Patient recovered completely within 1 month. Lessons: Although anti-rabies cell culture vaccines are highly immunogenic and safe, they are rarely associated with GBS. Clinicians should be aware of this link because prompt diagnosis and treatment can result in complete recovery and avoid complications.