Guillain - Barre syndrome following snake bite? An under-reported entity

Abstract

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an acute polyneuropathy of varied aetiology. There were only a few reported case of GBS following snake bites in our review of literature. Given the high incidence of snake bites, we feel GBS following snake bites are under-reported. Since reporting of snake bites is not mandatory in many regions of the world, snake bites often go unreported. Consequently, no study has been conducted to determine the frequency of snakebites on the international level. However, some estimates put the number at 1.2 to 5.5 million snake bites. Here is a report of a patient of snake bite who presented at the outset with neuromuscular and haematological complications of envenomation and later developed severe peripheral neuropathy due to GBS.GBS following snake bite may not really be uncommon but may in fact be an under-reported entity. Patients of snake bite developing progressive weakness, could actually be due to GBS, which, if timely recognised and managed, might have a better outcome.