Asymmetric Guillain-Barré syndrome

Neurol Sci. 2006 Nov;27(5):355-9. doi: 10.1007/s10072-006-0710-z.

Abstract

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a heterogeneous disorder according to clinical, electrophysiological, immunologic and pathologic findings. It has usually been considered as an immune-mediated polyneuropathy clinically characterised by acute symmetric muscle weakness and areflexia. We describe a patient who, after a Campylobacter jejuni infection, developed an acute motor-sensory neuropathy with marked and persistent asymmetry of clinical and electrophysiological findings. He had a high titre of anti-GM1 IgG antibodies and cytoalbuminologic dissociation and was responsive to intravenous immunoglobulins. Investigations and three years of follow-up excluded mimics of GBS. Tendon areflexia has recently been challenged as a mandatory diagnostic criterion in GBS; likewise marked and persistent motor asymmetry does not exclude the diagnosis of GBS.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Campylobacter Infections / complications*
  • Campylobacter Infections / immunology
  • G(M1) Ganglioside / immunology
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / etiology
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neural Conduction / physiology
  • Reaction Time / physiology

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • G(M1) Ganglioside