Successful treatment with therapeutic plasmapheresis of a pediatric patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with neurobrucellosis

J Clin Apher. 2022 Oct;37(5):522-526. doi: 10.1002/jca.22020. Epub 2022 Sep 24.

Abstract

Brucellosis is a multisystemic disease that can present with multiple signs and symptoms. Rarely, brucellosis can manifest as neurobrucellosis, with central or peripheral nervous system involvement. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a post-infectious autoimmune disease that progresses rapidly, causing ascending muscle weakness, and is accompanied by areflexia/hyporeflexia. Regarding GBS etiology, it is thought to be an autoimmune disease, triggered by a previous bacterial or viral infection. There are a few Brucella-associated GBS case reports in the literature and in our opinion, only one of them is a pediatric patient. Herein we reported a case of GBS associated with neurobrucellosis, who was successfully treated with therapeutic plasmapheresis (TP) due to poor response to IVIG treatment.

Keywords: Guillain-Barre; neurobrucellosis; plasma exchange.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Autoimmune Diseases* / therapy
  • Brucellosis* / drug therapy
  • Brucellosis* / therapy
  • Child
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome* / complications
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use
  • Plasmapheresis / adverse effects

Substances

  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous