Dysgeusia in a Patient with Guillain-Barré Syndrome Associated with Acute Hepatitis E: A Case Report and Literature Review

Intern Med. 2015;54(12):1543-6. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.54.3506. Epub 2015 Jun 15.

Abstract

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is usually triggered by viral or bacterial infection. In addition, it was recently reported that infection with hepatitis E virus (HEV) also causes GBS. A 49-year-old man presented with acute-onset paralysis in all extremities and dysgeusia during an episode of acute hepatitis. Serological tests showed the presence of anti-HEV IgM antibodies and HEV-RNA in the serum. As an electrophysiological examination showed acute demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, the patient was diagnosed as HEV-associated GBS. Following the initiation of treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, his paralysis and dysgeusia rapidly improved. This case suggests that HEV-associated GBS may rarely be complicated by dysgeusia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Dysgeusia / virology*
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / immunology*
  • Hepatitis E / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis E / drug therapy
  • Hepatitis E / immunology*
  • Hepatitis E virus / genetics
  • Hepatitis E virus / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use*
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Paralysis / complications
  • Paralysis / physiopathology*
  • Paralysis / virology
  • RNA, Viral / blood

Substances

  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
  • Immunologic Factors
  • RNA, Viral