Guillain-Barré Syndrome Outbreak in Peru 2019 Associated With Campylobacter jejuni Infection.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the clinical phenotypes and infectious triggers in the 2019 Peruvian Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) outbreak. METHODS: We prospectively collected clinical and neurophysiologic data of patients with GBS admitted to a tertiary hospital in Lima, Peru, between May and August 2019. Molecular, immunologic, and microbiological methods were used to identify causative infectious agents. Sera from 41 controls were compared with cases for antibodies to Campylobacter jejuni and gangliosides. Genomic analysis was performed on 4 C jejuni isolates. RESULTS: The 49 included patients had a median age of 44 years (interquartile range [IQR] 30-54 years), and 28 (57%) were male. Thirty-two (65%) had symptoms of a preceding infection: 24 (49%) diarrhea and 13 (27%) upper respiratory tract infection. The median time between infectious to neurologic symptoms was 3 days (IQR 2-9 days). Eighty percent had a pure motor form of GBS, 21 (43%) had the axonal electrophysiologic subtype, and 18% the demyelinating subtype. Evidence of recent C jejuni infection was found in 28/43 (65%). No evidence of recent arbovirus infection was found. Twenty-three cases vs 11 controls (OR 3.3, confidence interval [CI] 95% 1.2-9.2, p < 0.01) had IgM and/or IgA antibodies against C jejuni. Anti-GM1:phosphatidylserine and/or anti-GT1a:GM1 heteromeric complex antibodies were strongly positive in cases (92.9% sensitivity and 68.3% specificity). Genomic analysis showed that the C jejuni strains were closely related and had the Asn51 polymorphism at cstII gene. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that the 2019 Peruvian GBS outbreak was associated with C jejuni infection and that the C jejuni strains linked to GBS circulate widely in different parts of the world.

Guía de Práctica Clínica para el Diagnóstico y Tratamiento de Esclerosis Múltiple en Adultos / Clinical Practice Guidelines: Diagnostic and Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis in Adults

La Esclerosis Múltiple (EM) es una enfermedad crónica del sistema nervioso central, para la cual aún no hay una cura definitiva; sin embargo, existe una diversa variedad de terapias con el objetivo de modificar el curso natural de la enfermedad, que promueve la inclusión constante de nuevas estrategias terapéuticas. Objetivo: La Sociedad Peruana de Neurología, por encargo del Ministerio de Salud, convocó a un comité de expertos con el objetivo de elaborar una guía de práctica clínica para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de EM. Método: Se realizó una búsqueda y evaluación de guías de práctica clínica bajo la metodología AGREE II, escogiendo como modelo la Guía de Práctica Clínica Catalana. Las preguntas clínicas no concernientes al tratamiento fueron resueltas a través de revisión sistemática. Las preguntas clínicas de tratamiento se diseñaron bajo el formato PICO y se resolvieron con un meta-análisis de ensayos clínicos disponibles hasta agosto del 2017, tomando en consideración las terapias aprobadas por DIGEMID hasta enero del 2017. Las recomendaciones finales fueron elaboradas mediante el método Delphi modificado con un consenso de al menos 80% de los miembros de su comité. Finalmente se realizó una revisión externa del manuscrito por expertos internacionales en EM. Resultados: Se formularon 18 preguntas clínicas y 21 recomendaciones para el manejo, incluyendo algoritmos terapéuticos.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system, for which there is still no definitive cure; but there is a diverse variety of therapies with the objective of modifying the course of the disease, which promotes the constant inclusion of new therapeutic strategies. Objective: The Peruvian Society of Neurology, as requested by the Peruvian Health Ministry, convened a committee of experts with the purpose of elaborating a clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of MS. Method: Clinical practice guidelines were searched and evaluated according to the AGREE II methodology, choosing the Catalan Clinical Practice Guide as a model. The clinical questions not related to treatment were solved through a systematic review. The clinical treatment questions were assessed under the PICO format and were solved with a meta-analysis of clinical trials available until August 2017, considering the therapies approved by DIGEMID until January 2017. The final recommendations were elaborated using the modified Delphi method with a consensus of at least 80% of the members of its committee. Finally, an external revision of the manuscript was made by international experts in MS. Results: Eighteen clinical questions and twenty-one recommendations for management were developed, including therapeutic algorithms.