Blood Lipid Levels and the Severity of Guillain-Barré Syndrome: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study.

BackgroundThe Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), also known as acute idiopathic polyneuritis, is a critical acquired condition associated with preceding nonspecific infection or triggering factors like trauma, surgery, or vaccination. GBS is currently the most frequent cause of acute flaccid paralysis in India. This study evaluates the short-term and in-hospital outcomes in different subtypes of GBS.MethodsA prospective observational study was conducted at V.S. Hospital, Ahmedabad, from September 2015 to December 2017. Patients above the age of 12 were included. Patients having other underlying neurological conditions, as well as immunodeficiency disorders, were excluded. The patients were classified into different subtypes of GBS, and functional outcomes were recorded on admission and discharge according to Hughes Scoring System. All statistical analyses were performed by using SPSS software.ResultsOut of 50 patients, 35 (70%) were males. The mean age was of 37.18 +/− 18.35 years. 25 (50%) patients had a preceding infection. 88% of patients presented with cranial nerve (CN) involvement had a Hughes Score of >/= 3 (p = 0.0087). They had less improvement of Hughes Score on discharge (0.13 +/− 0.04) as compared to the patients without cranial nerve involvement (0.38 +/− 0.08) (p = 0.008). Respiratory involvement was associated with a higher Hughes Score (p = 0.005) on admission. 85% of patients diagnosed with an axonal subtype of GBS had a Hughes Score of >/= 3 (p = 0.06) compared to 74% patients with demyelinating subtype. Axonal subtype required double period (11 +/− 2.34) to show improvement as compared to demyelinating subtype (6 +/− 1.2) (p = 0.020). Irrespective of the subtypes, in two different treatment cohorts (PLEX vs IVIG), there was no difference in short term functional outcomes measured by improvement in the Hughes scores (p = 0.89).ConclusionsEarly cranial nerve and respiratory involvement in patients presenting with GBS are associated with poor outcomes warranting immediate critical care involvement. In our study, amongst all the subtypes, axonal had poor clinical outcomes. Further clinical trials on the Indian subpopulation will help us evaluate the impact of different treatment modalities on this disease.

Clinical characteristics of children with Guillain-Barré syndrome and factors associated with disease severity

The associations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease mortality in an exclusively low estimated 10-year risk group are not well delineated. We sought to determine the long-term associations of various LDL-C and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) thresholds and CVD and coronary heart disease mortality in a large, low 10-year risk cohort. The study sample included participants of the CCLS (Cooper Center Longitudinal Study) without a history of CVD or diabetes mellitus and defined as low risk (<7.5%) for 10-year atherosclerotic CVD events at baseline based on Pooled Cohort Risk Assessment Equations. The associations of fasting LDL-C and non-HDL-C with CVD mortality were tested with Cox proportional hazards models. In 36 375 participants (72% men, median age 42) followed for a median of 26.8 years, 1086 CVD and 598 coronary heart disease deaths occurred. Compared with LDL-C <100 mg/dL, LDL-C categories 100 to 129 mg/dL, 130 to 159 mg/dL, 160 to 189.9 mg/dL, and ≥190 mg/dL were associated with a significantly higher risk of CVD death, with hazard ratios of 1.4 (95% CI, 1.1-1.7), 1.3 (95% CI, 1.1-1.6), 1.9 (95% CI, 1.5-2.4), and 1.7 (95% CI, 1.3-2.3), and mean reductions in years free of CVD death of 1.8, 1.1, 4.3, and 3.9, respectively. After adjustment for atherosclerotic CVD risk factors, LDL-C categories 160 to 189 mg/dL and ≥190 mg/dL remained independently associated with CVD mortality, with hazard ratios of 1.7 (95% CI, 1.4-2.2) and 1.5 (95% CI, 1.2-2.1), respectively. In multivariable-adjusted models using non-HDL-C <130 mg/dL as the reference, non-HDL-C 160 to 189 mg/dL, 190 to 219 mg/dL, and ≥220 mg/dL were significantly associated with CVD death, with hazard ratios of 1.3 (95% CI, 1.1-1.6), 1.8 (95% CI, 1.4-2.2), and 1.5 (95% CI, 1.2-2.0), respectively. Restricting the cohort to those with 10-year risk <5% did not diminish the associations of LDL-C and non-HDL-C with CVD mortality. In a low 10-year risk cohort with long-term follow-up, LDL-C and non-HDL-C ≥160 mg/dL were independently associated with a 50% to 80% increased relative risk of CVD mortality. These findings may have implications for future cholesterol treatment paradigms.

To investigate the presence of anti-GalNAc-GD1a antibodies in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and to determine the relation of anti-ganglioside antibodies with clinical features. The GBS is heterogeneous with regard to clinical manifestations, antecedent infections, and the presence and specificity of anti-ganglioside antibodies. Recently, antibodies to minor gangliosides have been identified in serum from GBS patients. The authors used ELISA to detect anti-ganglioside antibodies in 132 GBS patients and then correlated results with a database containing information on antecedent infections and clinical parameters. Anti-GalNAc-GD1a antibodies could be detected in 19 (14%) GBS patients. The presence of anti-GalNAc-GD1a antibodies was related to antecedent Campylobacter jejuni infection (p<0.001). GBS patients with anti-GalNAc-GD1a antibodies had a rapidly progressive, more severe, and predominantly distal weakness. Furthermore, they had less sensory loss, paresthesia, and cranial nerve involvement. In most patients, this reactivity was independent of reactivity to GM1. Dividing patients into separate groups based on their reactivity to GalNAc-GD1a and GM1 enabled the authors to delineate more homogeneous subgroups with regard to clinical features. This study provides further evidence for the hypothesis that antecedent infections and the specificity of subsequent anti-neural antibody responses determine the clinical manifestations in GBS patients.

The involvement of cranial nerves is being increasingly recognized in COVID-19. This review aims to summarize and discuss the recent advances concerning the clinical presentation, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 associated cranial nerve mononeuropathies or polyneuropathies. Therefore, a systematic review of articles from PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted. Altogether 36 articles regarding SARS-CoV-2 associated neuropathy of cranial nerves describing 56 patients were retrieved as per the end of January 2021. Out of these 56 patients, cranial nerves were compromised without the involvement of peripheral nerves in 32 of the patients, while Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) with cranial nerve involvement was described in 24 patients. A single cranial nerve was involved either unilaterally or bilaterally in 36 patients, while in 19 patients multiple cranial nerves were involved. Bilateral involvement was more prevalent in the GBS group (n = 11) as compared to the cohort with isolated cranial nerve involvement (n = 5). Treatment of cranial nerve neuropathy included steroids (n = 18), intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) (n = 18), acyclovir/valacyclovir (n = 3), and plasma exchange (n = 1). The outcome was classified as “complete recovery” in 21 patients and as “partial recovery” in 30 patients. One patient had a lethal outcome. In conclusion, any cranial nerve can be involved in COVID-19, but cranial nerves VII, VI, and III are the most frequently affected. The involvement of cranial nerves in COVID-19 may or may not be associated with GBS. In patients with cranial nerve involvement, COVID-19 infections are usually mild. Isolated cranial nerve palsy without GBS usually responds favorably to steroids. Cranial nerve involvement with GBS benefits from IVIG.

Guillain–Barre syndrome (GBS) is an acute onset, usually monophasic immune-mediated disorder of the peripheral nervous system. The term GBS is often considered to be synonymous with acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP), but with the increasing recognition of variants over the past few decades, the number of diseases that fall under the rubric GBS have grown to include axonal variants and more restricted variants, such as Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) [Table 1].[1] Table 1 Guillain–Barre syndrome—clinical variants Epidemiology The reported incidence rates for GBS are 1–2 per 100,000 population.[2–4] The lifetime likelihood of any individual acquiring GBS is 1:1000.[5] The subtypes of GBS have different incidence rates in different parts of the world. In Europe and North America AIDP is dominant contributing to 90% of the cases. In contrast in China and Japan AMAN being the most common subtype.[6,7] The picture is intermediate when we look at other population. In Indian series the incidence of AIDP and AMAN are virtually equal although AMAN is more common in younger patients.[8] There seems to be a slight preponderance of AIDP in studies by Gupta et al[9] and by Meena et al (unpublished data from NIMS, Hyderabad). Available Indian literature indicates a peak incidence between June–July and Sept–October.[10] In western countries, GBS is common in the 5th decade,[11] but in India it occurs more commonly at a younger age.[10,12] GBS is equally common in men and women and can occur at any age. There is a male preponderance among the hospitalized population.[10,12]

Immunotherapy Response in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients with Cranial Nerve Involvement

Background:Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) has unpredictable clinical course with severe complication of respiratory failure.Objective:To identify clinical profiles and electrophysiological study particularly non-invasive Phrenic nerve conduction study in patients of early GBS to predict respiratory failure.Methods:64 adult (age≥18yrs) patients of early GBS (onset ≤ 14 days) during the study period from January 2014 to October 2015 were evaluated by clinical profiles of age, gender, antecedent infection, time to peak disability, single breath counts, cranial nerve involvement, autonomic dysfunction and non-invasive Phrenic nerve conduction study. Patients with predisposition factors of polyneuropathy like diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, vitamin deficiency, renal failure were excluded.Results:Among 64 patients abnormal phrenic nerve conduction study was seen in 65.62% cases (42/64) and 45.23% (19/42) of them developed respiratory failure. Phrenic nerve sum latency, amplitude, duration and area were abnormal in those who developed respiratory failure and they had sum of phrenic nerve latency >28 msec, sum of CMAP amplitude <300 μV, sum of CMAP duration >50 msec and sum of area < 4 mVmS. None with normal phrenic nerve study developed respiratory failure. It was found that age, gender, preceding infection, autonomic involvement and types of GB syndrome had no influence on development of respiratory failure (p>0.05). Rapid disease progression to peak disability, more severe disease, shorter single breath counts and cranial nerve involvement were seen more often in patients with respiratory failure.Conclusion:Abnormal Phrenic nerve conduction study in the early Guillain-Barré syndrome might be of great value independently in predicting impending respiratory failure.

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is a rare inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy characterized by motor impairment, progressive, ascending, symmetrical flaccid limb paralysis, areflexia or hyporeflexia, and with or without cranial nerve involvement, which are the hallmark clinical indications of GBS, which can last over weeks to months. Miller-Fisher syndrome (MFS) is a post-infectious localized variant of GBS that includes ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and areflexia, and is often associated with lower cranial and facial nerve involvement. In this case, a 22-year-old young man was taken to a hospital after 10 days with complaints of bilateral symmetrical upper extremity and lower extremity paralysis, with the legs being more afflicted than the arms. For the past six days, he had an episode of fever, slurred speech, bilateral eye drops, and swallowing difficulty. On examination, the patient was identified with MFS, a variant of GBS. On the first and last day of treatment, the patient's outcome measures were recorded on Manual Muscle Testing, Hughes (GBS disability score), and the Functional Independence Measure Scale. Treatment options have been shown to reduce challenges and improve patient outcomes and quality of life, all of which are important at this stage. This case study concluded with a rehabilitation program that helped the patient to enhance his strength, range of motion, functional mobility, postural control, balancing abilities, weight-bearing, and prevent secondary impairments.

There is increasing evidence of both central and peripheral nervous system (PNS) involvement in COVID-19. We conducted this systematic literature review to investigate the characteristics, management and outcomes of patients with PNS, including the types and severity of cranial nerves (CN) involvement. We systematically searched on PubMed for studies reporting adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and PNS involvement until July 2021. From 1670 records, 225 articles matched the inclusion criteria, with a total of 1320 neurological events, in 1004 patients. There were 805 (61%) CN, 350 (26.5%) PNS, and 165 (12.5%) PNS plus CN events. The most frequently involved CN were the facial, vestibulo-cochlear and olfactory nerve in 27.3%, 25.4% and 16.1%, respectively. Guillain-Barre syndrome spectrum was identified in 84.2% of PNS events. We analysed 328 patients reported in 225 articles with CN, PNS, and PNS plus CN involvement. The patients with CN involvement were younger (mean age 46.2±17.1, p = .003), and were more frequently treated as outpatients (p < .001), mostly with glucocorticoids (p < .001). Patients that had PNS with or without CN involvement were more likely to be hospitalized (p < .001), and to receive intravenous immunoglobulins (p = .002) or plasma exchange (p = .002). Patients with CN, PNS, and PNS plus CN had severe COVID -19 disease in 24.8%, 37.3%, 34.9% respectively. The most common neurological outcome was mild/moderate sequelae in patients with CN, PNS, and PNS plus CN in 54.7%, 67.5% and 67.8% respectively (p = .1) and no significant difference was found between the three categories regarding death, disease severity, time from disease onset to neurological symptoms, lack of improvement and complete recovery. CN involvement was the most frequent PNS finding. All three categories of PNS involvement were rather associated to non-severe COVID-19 but it may be an important cause of hospitalization and post COVID-19 sequelae.

There is increasing evidence of both central and peripheral nervous system (PNS) involvement in COVID-19. We conducted this systematic literature review to investigate the characteristics, management and outcomes of patients with PNS, including the types and severity of cranial nerves (CN) involvement. We systematically searched on PubMed for studies reporting adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and PNS involvement until July 2021. From 1670 records, 225 articles matched the inclusion criteria, with a total of 1320 neurological events, in 1004 patients. There were 805 (61%) CN, 350 (26.5%) PNS, and 165 (12.5%) PNS plus CN events. The most frequently involved CN were the facial, vestibulo-cochlear and olfactory nerve in 27.3%, 25.4% and 16.1%, respectively. Guillain-Barre syndrome spectrum was identified in 84.2% of PNS events. We analysed 328 patients reported in 225 articles with CN, PNS, and PNS plus CN involvement. The patients with CN involvement were younger (mean age 46.2±17.1, p = .003), and were more frequently treated as outpatients (p < .001), mostly with glucocorticoids (p < .001). Patients that had PNS with or without CN involvement were more likely to be hospitalized (p < .001), and to receive intravenous immunoglobulins (p = .002) or plasma exchange (p = .002). Patients with CN, PNS, and PNS plus CN had severe COVID -19 disease in 24.8%, 37.3%, 34.9% respectively. The most common neurological outcome was mild/moderate sequelae in patients with CN, PNS, and PNS plus CN in 54.7%, 67.5% and 67.8% respectively (p = .1) and no significant difference was found between the three categories regarding death, disease severity, time from disease onset to neurological symptoms, lack of improvement and complete recovery. CN involvement was the most frequent PNS finding. All three categories of PNS involvement were rather associated to non-severe COVID-19 but it may be an important cause of hospitalization and post COVID-19 sequelae.

BackgroundIt is not well defined whether Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) patients with elevated serum creatine kinase (CK) levels have characteristic clinical features and are related to the subgroups of GBS.MethodsWe retrospectively studied 51 consecutive patients with GBS, who visited our hospital, and compared clinical, laboratory and electrophysiological findings between patients with and without elevated CK levels.ResultsOf 51 patients, 14 patients (27%) showed an elevation of serum CK levels. When compared with patients with the normal CK levels, the ratios of male, antecedent infections, and anti-GM1 antibody positivity were significantly higher in patients with elevated CK levels. The ratios of hypoesthesia, cranial nerve involvement, and urinary retention were significantly less in patients with elevated CK levels. There were no significant differences in disability at peak between two groups. In the electrophysiological examination, sensory nerve abnormalities were not observed. Although some patients with elevated CK levels showed prolongation of distal motor latencies (DMLs) and increase of durations in the initial examination, development of the prolongation of DMLs and increase of durations was not observed in the follow-up examinations. The findings were consistent with acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) with reversible conduction failure (RCF) but not acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP).ConclusionsThe results suggest that the GBS patients with elevated CK levels represent not a group of AIDP but a group of AMAN with axonal degeneration or RCF even though the initial electrophysiological examination shows AIDP pattern.

Background. Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune reaction against peripheral nerves that manifests clinically as acute polyradiculoneuropathy. Classic sensory-motor, pure motor, paraparesis, pharyngeal-cervical-brachial, Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis, pure sensory, bilateral facial palsy with paresthesia, and Miller-Fisher syndrome are all known variants of GBS. This case report seeks to describe a case of GBS with involvement of the cranial nerves. Case report. A 39-year-old right-handed Balinese woman presented with LMN (Lower Motor Neuron) type paraparesis with ascending paralysis and involvement of cranial nerves III through XII. The results of the LCS (Liquor Cerebro-Spinal) demonstrate albuminocytological dissociation. According to the patient’s EMNG (electromyoneurography) findings, Guillain-Barré Syndrome was of the AMAN (acute motor axonal neuropathy) variety. The patient was diagnosed with multiple cranial neuropathies and GBS of the AMAN type. EGRIS (Erasmus GBS Respiratory Insufficiency Score) was 3, and EGOS (Erasmus GBS Obstructive Sleep Apnea Score) was also 3. Following IVIG (Intravenous Immunoglobulin) treatment, the patient exhibited clinical improvement (Hughes score decreased from 4 to 2). Discussion. The patient exhibits clinical manifestations of flaccid tetraparesis and multiple cranial nerve paresis. The clinical condition of the patient did not meet the criteria for GBS clinical variation. Symptoms of flaccid tetraparesis that do not involve the senses are classified as the motor-only variant. This patient’s differential diagnosis includes the possibility of MFS and ophthalmoplegia. This patient, however, had flaccid tetraparesis and no ataxia. Electromyoneurography (EMNG) examination produces AMAN-type GBS. The patient was diagnosed with one of the clinical variants of GBS, AMAN-type GBS with multiple cranial neuropathies. Conclusion. A case of GBS of the AMAN type accompanied by multiple cranial neuropathies has been reported.

Objective To explore the A wave value in neuroelectrophysiological subtype of Guillain-Barre syndrome(GBS)and the clinical severity and short-term prognosis of acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy(AIDP). Methods From March 2014 to March 2017, a total of 56 children with GBS at Department of Neurology of Wuhan Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology were enrolled.The patients were divided into AIDP subtype(40 cases) and axonal GBS subtype(16 cases) according to the results of electrophysiological examination.According to whether there was existence of A wave or not, the GBS children were divided into 2 groups.The first group was the A wave in GBS group(18 cases), and the second group was non-A wave in GBS group(38 cases). In order to explore classification value for GBS with A wave, clinical data including age, gender, history of prodromal infection, cranial nerve dysfunction, autonomic nerve involvement and conduction blocks were analyzed.To explore A wave value in clinical severity and short-term prognosis of AIDP, the age, gender, clinical severity, conduction blocks, short-term prognosis of the 2 groups were analyzed in A wave with AIDP (18 cases) and non-A wave with AIDP(22 cases). Results Compared with non-A wave GBS patients, A wave GBS patients had more conduction blocks(10 cases vs.2 cases, χ2=18.021, P=0.000). Age, sex, precedent infections, cranial nerve involvement, autonomic nerve involvement were not significantly statistically different(all P>0.05). A wave was only seen in AIDP subtype(18 cases), and the percentage of A wave in AIDP was 45%(18/40 cases). There was no A wave in axonal GBS.Compared with non-A wave in AIDP, A wave in AIDP patients had more conduction blocks(10 cases vs.2 cases, χ2=9.924, P=0.002), poorer clinical motor function[(3.39±1.09) scores vs.(2.50±1.01) scores, t=2.667, P=0.011]and short-term prognosis[(2.06±0.64) scores vs.(1.55±0.60) scores, t=2.607, P=0.013]. Conclusions A wave is correlated with demyelination subtype in children′s Guillain-Barre syndrome and poor short-term prognosis in AIDP. Key words: A wave; Child; Guillain-Barre syndrome

Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune neurological disorder often preceded by viral illnesses or, more rarely, vaccinations. We report on a unique combination of postcoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine GBS that occurred months after a parainfectious COVID-19–related GBS. Shortly after manifesting COVID-19 symptoms, a 57-year-old man developed diplopia, right-side facial weakness, and gait instability that, together with electrophysiology and cerebrospinal fluid examinations, led to a diagnosis of post-COVID-19 GBS. The involvement of cranial nerves and IgM seropositivity for ganglioside GD1b were noteworthy. COVID-19 pneumonia, flaccid tetraparesis, and autonomic dysfunction prompted his admission to ICU. He recovered after therapy with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg). Six months later, GBS recurred shortly after the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. Again, the GBS diagnosis was confirmed by cerebrospinal fluid and electrophysiology studies. IgM seropositivity extended to multiple gangliosides, namely for GM3/4, GD1a/b, and GT1b IgM. An IVIg course prompted complete recovery. This case adds to other previously reported observations suggesting a possible causal link between SARS-CoV-2 and GBS. Molecular mimicry and anti-idiotype antibodies might be the underlying mechanisms. Future COVID-19 vaccinations/revaccinations in patients with previous para-/post-COVID-19 GBS deserve a reappraisal, especially if they are seropositive for ganglioside antibodies.