Albuminocytologic Dissociation Research Articles

NIMG-06. GUILLAIN BARRE MIMICKING LEPTOMENINGEAL SPREAD IN CANCER PATIENTS: REPORT OF TWO CASES AN REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Abstract BACKGROUND Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an immune acute polyradiculoneuropathy usually presented as an ascending peripheral paresis with absent tendon reflex and albumino-cytologic dissociation on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) exam.We describe two oncologic patients with GBS who presented with atypical symptoms. RESULTS The first patient was a 35 years old woman with newly diagnosed grade 3 invasive breast ductal carcinoma. During the sixth courses of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy she complained at back pain and within 24 hours developed progressive severe bilateral proximal paraparesis with a D10 sensory level. Spine MRI demonstrated diffuse leptomeningeal enhancement. Since leptomeningeal spread (LMD) is uncommon at this stage of breast cancer CSF was obtained. CSF sample revealed albumin-cytologic dissociation (4 cells, protein level 340 mg/dl). EMG showed acute demyelinating neuropathy consistent with GBS. Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) therapy was initiated with clinical improvement. The second patient was a 45 years old woman with newly diagnosed T-Cell lymphoma. Before initiating chemotherapy she presented with a rapidly progressive tetraparesis, hyperreflexia and cervical sensory level. Spine MRI was intact. CSF showed 22 cells without atypia, FACS negative, protein level was 74 mg/dl. The patient worsened clinically. A second CSF sample was obtained and demonstrated an albumin-cytologic dissociation (8 cells without atypia, protein level 115 mg/dl) raising the possibility of GBS. EMG showed acute axonal polyneuropathy consistent with AMSAN variant of GBS. The patient was treated with IVIG with partial recovery. CONCLUSION Atypical presentation of GBS could be challenging among oncologic patients and could lead to misdiagnosis and delay in treatment.

Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection: A systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis.

Several published reports have described a possible association between Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. This systematic review aimed to summarize and meta-analyze the salient features and prognosis of SARS-CoV-2-associated GBS. We searched the PubMed (Medline), Web of Science and Cochrane databases for articles published between 01 January 2020 and 05 August 2020 using SARS-CoV-2 and GBS-related keywords. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, antecedent symptoms, clinical, serological and electrophysiological features, and hospital outcomes were recorded. We included 45 articles from 16 countries reporting 61 patients with SARS-CoV-2-associated GBS. Most (97.7%) articles were from high- and upper-middle-income countries. Forty-two (68.9%) of the patients were male; median (interquartile range) age was 57 (49-70) years. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for SARS-CoV-2 was positive in 90.2% of patients. One report of SARS-CoV-2-associated familial GBS was found which affected a father and daughter of a family. Albuminocytological dissociation in cerebrospinal fluid was found in 80.8% of patients. The majority of patients (75.5%) had a demyelinating subtype of GBS. Intravenous immunoglobulin and plasmapheresis were given to 92.7% and 7.3% of patients, respectively. Around two-thirds (65.3%) of patients had a good outcome (GBS-disability score ≤ 2) on discharge from hospital. Two patients died in hospital. SARS-CoV-2-associated GBS mostly resembles the classical presentations of GBS that respond to standard treatments. Extensive surveillance is required in low- and lower-middle-income countries to identify and report similar cases/series. Further large-scale case-control studies are warranted to strengthen the current evidence. PROSPERO Registration Number CRD42020201673.

Relato de um caso com rápida evolução e desfecho satisfatório em criança com provável Síndrome de Guillain- Barré

Introdução: A Síndrome de Guillain-Barré (SGB) é a causa mais frequente de paralisia flácida aguda e subaguda desde a erradicação da poliomielite. Embora rara, é reconhecida como a principal causa de paralisia flácida entre pessoas internadas em terapia intensiva pediátrica por doenças neuromusculares agudas.
 Objetivo: Relatar um caso de paciente do sexo masculino, com 14 meses de idade, com diagnóstico provável de Síndrome de Guillain-Barré com neuropatia sensitivo motora, aguda, mielínica, com provável comprometimento axonal secundário, com rápida evolução e melhora.
 
 Descrição do caso: Foi admitido em hospital público maternoinfantil de referência para o Distrito Federal um paciente masculino, residente na Região Integrada de Desenvolvimento do Distrito Federal e Entorno. A criança tinha 14 meses de idade e 8,6kg, situação vacinal atualizada e desenvolvimentoneurospicomotor adequado para a idade, com quadro de paresia em membros inferiores, sem alterações cognitivas. Após 14 horas da admissão, diante do agravamento do quadro clínico e da dissociação albomino-citológica identificada pela análise de líquido cefalo-raquidiano foi iniciada imunoterapia (imunoglobulina humana endovenosa, 0,7g/kg/dia por três dias). Após 24 horas do início do tratamento, a criança apresentou melhora em seu estado geral. O paciente teve alta hospitalar após cinco dias de internação. Após 76 dias da alta, foi constatada melhora significativa no desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor, apesar de leve atraso em seu desenvolvimento até o momento.
 
 Conclusão: Diante da raridade de casos em crianças, é importante que os profissionais de saúde se mantenham sensíveis a captar e tratar os casos de maneira oportuna. Recomendamos ainda que os casos identificados sejam acompanhados cuidadosamente, afim de verificar se a SGB, esuas variantes, podem explicar transtornos de desenvolvimento à posteriori.

Diagnostic utility of cerebrospinal fluid analysis in dogs with suspected idiopathic epilepsy.

Idiopathic epilepsy (IE) is the most common cause of repeated seizures in dogs. The International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force consensus guidelines recommend performing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis as part of a tier II diagnosis of IE, and these procedures have documented risks. The aim of this retrospective study was to identify how often dogs with suspected IE have abnormalities on CSF analysis. Dogs aged between 6 months and 6 years that were presented with a history of two or more seizures with at least 24 h between seizure episodes, a normal neurologic examination, no evidence of toxic or metabolic causes, a normal MRI scan (including contrast administration) and CSF analysis were included. Eighty-two dogs were included. Of these, nine dogs (10.9%) had abnormalities on CSF analysis: five of nine dogs (55.5%) had albuminocytologic dissociation, three of nine dogs (33.3%) had mild increases in total nucleated cell count (TNCC), and one of nine dogs (11.1%) had mild increase in both total protein and TNCC. Cytology in dogs with elevated TNCC revealed a mononuclear pleocytosis. One of the nine dogs with abnormal CSF had a seizure within the 24 h before investigations, and six of nine dogs had a seizure within 1 month before investigation. CSF analysis can play an important role in the diagnostic investigation of the underlying causes of repeated seizures. However, in dogs with a normal inter-ictal neurological examination and MRI scan, it rarely reveals significant abnormalities, and the risk of performing a CSF tap may outweigh the potential diagnostic gain.

Chronic immune polyradiculopathies: Three clinical variants of one disease?

Chronic immune polyradiculopathies (sensory, motor, and mixed) are uncommon. In this single-center, retrospective study, the inclusion criteria for participants were progressive sensory ataxia and/or areflexic limb weakness; tibial somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) abnormalities of the N22 and P40 potentials with normal sensory and motor nerve conduction studies or root involvement, according to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); and albuminocytological dissociation. Eight patients were included in our study. Two had weakness, two had sensory ataxia, and four had both weakness and ataxia. Patients with weakness had abnormal SSEPs and patients with sensory ataxia also had absent F waves. Electromyography showed chronic denervation. MRI scans confirmed thickening and enhancement of roots. The patients responded to corticosteroid treatment. The overlapping clinicoelectrophysiological findings and similarities in radiological and therapeutic responses suggest that these entities are clinical variants of the same disease. The terms CIS(m)P, CI(s)MP, and CISMP (for chronic immune sensory motor polyradiculopathy) could be used to denote the predominant clinical involvement.

COVID-19-associated Guillain-Barré syndrome: The early pandemic experience.

Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) is an inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathy associated with numerous viral infections. Recently, there have been many case reports describing the association between coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) and GBS, but much remains unknown about the strength of the association and the features of GBS in this setting. We reviewed 37 published cases of GBS associated with COVID‐19 to summarize this information for clinicians and to determine whether a specific clinical or electrodiagnostic (EDx) pattern is emerging. The mean age (59 years), gender (65% male), and COVID‐19 features appeared to reflect those of hospitalized COVID‐19 patients early in the pandemic. The mean time from COVID‐19 symptoms to GBS symptoms was 11 days. The clinical presentation and severity of these GBS cases was similar to those with non–COVID‐19 GBS. The EDx pattern was considered demyelinating in approximately half of the cases. Cerebrospinal fluid, when assessed, demonstrated albuminocytologic dissociation in 76% of patients and was negative for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome–coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) in all cases. Serum antiganglioside antibodies were absent in 15 of 17 patients tested. Most patients were treated with a single course of intravenous immunoglobulin, and improvement was noted within 8 weeks in most cases. GBS‐associated COVID‐19 appears to be an uncommon condition with similar clinical and EDx patterns to GBS before the pandemic. Future studies should compare patients with COVID‐19–associated GBS to those with contemporaneous non–COVID‐19 GBS and determine whether the incidence of GBS is elevated in those with COVID‐19.

Synchronous Occurrence of Guillain-Barre Syndrome and Transverse Myelitis of Unknown Etiology in an Adolescent

Synchronous occurrence of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and acute transverse myelitis (ATM) happens very rarely in childhood. Only a few cases of these conditions occurring simultaneously have been reported and represent a diagnostic challenge. We describe a case of a 17-year-old male presenting with acute onset of bilateral symmetrical numbness and tingling starting in the feet that rapidly ascended to the legs with associated motor weakness, associated with a sensory level and urinary retention. Albuminocytologic dissociation on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis was consistent with GBS. MRI spine revealed an area of increased T2 signal involving the dorsal aspect of the left side of the cord at the C7 level. The patient was treated with IV methylprednisolone and IV immunoglobulin with significant improvement. This report emphasizes the rarity of this synchronous occurrence in children and the need for further reports to understand the mechanism and better treatment approaches.

Electrophysiological subtypes and associated prognosis factors of Mexican adults diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a single center experience

BackgroundThe clinical characteristics of electrophysiological subtypes and prognostic factors of Mexican adults diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) have not been described. Materials and methodsA single center, ambispective, cohort study was performed (2015–2019). GBS was defined following the Asbury and Cornblath criteria. Electrodiagnosis was made according to Hadden criteria. Clinical, biochemical and electrodiagnostic parameters were described, compared and analyzed using a multivariate model. Only patients who completed a 3-month follow-up were included. Results137 GBS patients (92 males; mean age 46.6 ± 16.6).132 (96.3%) underwent an electrodiagnostic assessment.68 (51.5%) were classified as axonal GBS, with further classified into two groups: acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) 45.4%, and acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN) 8,6%. The following characteristics were lower in the AMAN group: Medical Research Counsel sumscore (MRC) 30.1 ± 16.3 vs 36.4 ± 14.4, unilateral facial palsy 10% vs 25.9% and albuminocytologic dissociation 41.3% vs. 71.7%.Multivariate analysis found AMAN as an independent predictor of an unfavorable outcome OR: 3.34 (p = 0.03) ConclusionsAMAN subtype is the most frequent presentation of GBS in Mexican adult patients and an independent predictor of inability to walk independently at 3 months after discharge.

A case report describing a rare presentation of Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculopathy (AIDP)

Background: AIDP (Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculopathy) commonly presents as bilateral lower extremity weakness and areflexia with albuminocytologic dissociation on CSF findings. Sensory symptoms are not prominent presenting features in patients. However, Bulbar and Miller Fisher variants of AIDP are very rare. This case report highlights the unique presentation where unilateral facial nerve palsy along with perioral numbness and decreases taste sensation was the presenting symptom. Case presentation: A 33-year-old male with a past medical history of rhabdomyosarcoma s/p resection who presented with the chief complaint of numbness and dysphagia. He developed left-sided facial droop and decreased taste sensation following an episode of bronchitis six weeks ago. Pertinent positives include mild dysphagia, decreased appetite, congestion and rhinorrhea. Physical exam was not significant except for decreased sensation of the upper and lower left face, decreased sensation of the right lower face, decreased light touch of the right upper extremity, 3+ reflexes of both upper and lower extremities bilaterally. Conclusions: This case report highlights the unique presentation of Bulbar AIDP with some symptoms of Miller Fisher syndrome. Predominant sensory symptoms such as perioral numbness and decreased taste sensation might be the predominant symptoms that bring the patient to attention. Hence, it is imperative to perform a lumbar puncture to support the diagnosis of variant AIDP when prominent sensory symptoms are present.

Is Guillain-Barr\xe8 syndrome triggered by SARS-CoV-2? Case report and literature review

BackgroundSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the infectious agent responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Respiratory and gastrointestinal manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 are well described, less defined is the clinical neurological spectrum of COVID-19. We reported a case of COVID-19 patient with acute monophasic Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), and a literature review on the SARS-CoV-2 and GBS etiological correlation.Case DescriptionA 68 years-old man presented to the emergency department with symptoms of acute progressive symmetric ascending flaccid tetraparesis. Oropharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2 tested positive. Neurological examination showed bifacial nerve palsy and distal muscular weakness of lower limbs. The cerebrospinal fluid assessment showed an albuminocytologic dissociation. Electrophysiological studies showed delayed distal latencies and absent F waves in early course. A diagnosis of Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP) subtype of GBS was then made.ConclusionsNeurological manifestations of COVID-19 are still under study. The case we described of GBS in COVID-19 patient adds to those already reported in the literature, in support of SARS-CoV-2 triggers GBS. COVID-19 associated neurological clinic should probably be seen not as a corollary of classic respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms, but as SARS-CoV-2-related standalone clinical entities. To date, it is essential for all Specialists, clinicians and surgeons, to direct attention towards the study of this virus, to better clarify the spectrum of its neurological manifestations.

Síndrome de Guillain Barré en paciente con antecedente de infección respiratoria: reporte de un caso

Introducción: El síndrome de Guillain-Barré (SGB), es una polineuropatía inflamatoria aguda, de etiología autoinmune que causa inflamación en los nervios periféricos y sus raíces espinales, se presenta como una parálisis flácida, simétrica, ascendente, arrefléxica y con antecedentes de una infección respiratoria o gastrointestinal previa. 
 Objetivo: Describir un caso clínico de Guillain Barré, con antecedentes de infección respiratoria previa.
 Material y métodos Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, presentación de un caso clínico.
 Resultados: Se trata de una paciente femenina de 69 años sin antecedentes patológicos de interés, padeció una infección respiratoria viral hace dos semanas, acude a médico particular presentando dolor en extremidades, parestesias en miembros inferiores, se prescribe ketoprofeno 100 mg, tiocolchicócido 4 mg e ibuprofeno 400 mg en dosis únicas, con lo cual no hubo mejoría, agravándose el cuadro clínico. Doce días después acude con disminución de fuerza muscular y dificultad para la deambulación. Reflejos osteo-tendinosos ausentes y leve disminución de la sensibilidad en zona distal de ambos miembros inferiores. Entre los exámenes complementarios se observó disociación albumino-citológica en el líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) y una electromiografía compatible con Polineuropatía Aguda. Se diagnosticó SGB, brindándose tratamiento con inmunoglobulina humana endovenosa con una evolución y resultados favorables. Conclusiones: El SGB es una polirradiculoneuropatía aguda inflamatoria desmielinizante monofásica ascendente de origen inmunológico, cuyo diagnóstico es clínico, los exámenes complementarios ayudan a corroborar la patología y permiten clasificar la enfermedad, como tratamiento se sigue manteniendo el uso de plasmaféresis o inmunoglobulina humana intravenosa sin evidenciarse superioridad a favor de alguno de ellos.

Fulminant Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Spontaneous Intraventricular Hemorrhage: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute, immune-mediated inflammatory peripheral polyneuropathy that is characterized by flaccid paralysis. A few cases have reported that GBS can be caused by head trauma or neurosurgery, but it has never been associated with intraventricular hemorrhage. Here, we report an uncommon case of fulminant GBS that occurred after spontaneous intraventricular hemorrhage. A 73-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital after sudden unconsciousness and vomiting. A head computed tomography (CT) scan following the incident showed a newly developed intraventricular hemorrhage, which led to an immediate ventriculostomy. After 5 days, the endotracheal tube was removed. Two days later, the external ventricular drainage tube was also removed. At this time, the patient was alert and the neurological examination was normal. However, the patient suddenly presented with acute respiratory failure and bilateral limb weakness 3 days later. An analysis of the patient’s cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed that albuminocytologic dissociation was present. The patient was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (0.4 g/kg/day) for 5 days. Despite timely medical intervention in the hospital, the patient passed away 2 months later. After a cerebral hemorrhagic injury, limb and respiratory muscle weakness can occur on occasion in the ICU. In this context, the potential involvement of GBS should not be ignored. Importantly, the pathogenic mechanism of GBS has been discussed for over a century, and it still remains a mystery. We speculate that the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway may be involved in the pathogenesis of GBS following intraventricular hemorrhage. The prognosis of most patients with GBS is usually good, but cerebral hemorrhage and mechanical ventilation may serve as risk factors that exacerbate the condition. This case is reported to remind clinicians to consider the possibility of GBS when patients present limb and respiratory muscle weakness after intraventricular hemorrhage, and to provide a starting point to discuss potential mechanisms of GBS after intraventricular hemorrhage.

Diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome and validation of the Brighton criteria in Malaysia.

We aimed to evaluate the key diagnostic features of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in Malaysian patients and validate the Brighton criteria. This was a retrospective study of patients presenting with GBS and Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) between 2010 and 2019. The sensitivity of the Brighton criteria was evaluated. A total of 128 patients (95 GBS, 33 MFS) were included. In the GBS cohort, 92 (97%) patients presented with symmetrical limb weakness. Reflexes were depressed or absent in 90 (95%) patients. Almost all patients (94, 99%) followed a monophasic disease course, with 5 (5%) patients experiencing treatment-related fluctuations. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) albuminocytological dissociation was seen in 62/84 (73%) patients. Nerve conduction study (NCS) revealed neuropathy in 90/94 (96%) patients. In GBS patients with complete dataset (84), 56 (67%) patients reached level 1 of the Brighton criteria, 21 (25%) reached level 2, 3 (4%) reached level 3, and 4 (5%) reached level 4. In MFS, the clinical triad was present in 25 (76%) patients. All patients had a monophasic course. CSF albuminocytological dissociation was present in 10/25 (40%) patients. NCS was normal or showed sensory neuropathy in 25/33 (76%) patients. In MFS patients with complete dataset (25), 5 (20%) patients reached level 1 of the Brighton criteria, 14 (56%) reached level 2, 2 (8%) reached level 3, and 4 (16%) reached level 4. Inclusion of antiganglioside antibodies improved the sensitivity of the Brighton criteria in both cohorts. In the Malaysian cohort, the Brighton criteria showed a moderate to high sensitivity in reaching the highest diagnostic certainty of GBS, but the sensitivity was lower in MFS.

A Rare Complication of Bariatric Surgery; Guillain Barre Syndrome

Objectives: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an acute, immune-mediated polyradiculoneuropathy characterized by rapidly progressive paresis and sensory disturbances. Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG), used of morbid obesity, is the standard surgical treatment method for Bariatric Surgery (BS). Neurological complications of BS are also increasing with growing obesity prevalence. We present a case of developed acute polyneuropathy after BS. Study Design-Methods: The presentation of GBS is ascending paralysis, reduction/loss of muscle stretch reflexes, and albumino-cytologic dissociation in the CSF. The diagnosis was made using anamnesis, neurological examination, Electroneuromyography (ENMG) and laboratory findings. Results: Neurological complications of BS are usually related to micronutrients deficiencies secondary to malabsorbtion after surgery. The complications are seen variable which are count encephalopathy, optic neuropathy, myelopathy, polyradiculoneuropathy, and polyneuropathy. Conclusions: Among these, GBS appears to be a very rare complication in BS. It is important to consider the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy, and discrimination of GuillainBarré syndrome. Because of, their treatments are different.

Clinical Characteristic Analysis of Seven Children With Bickerstaff Brainstem Encephalitis in China.

Objective: To summarize the clinical, electrophysiological, neuroimaging, and immunological characteristics of seven cases of Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis (BBE) in China and to determine whether certain clinical features suggestive of BBE can facilitate diagnosis and treatment.Patients and Methods: The clinical data of seven BBE patients treated at the Children's Hospital of Fudan University between 2016 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical and laboratory characteristics of the BBE patients were studied.Results: The seven patients in this study included four females and three males, and the median age at diagnosis was 5.3 years (interquartile range: 3.0–7.1 years). All seven patients had an acute onset with a preinfection history. Seven cases of acute extraocular paralysis, ataxia, and an impaired level of consciousness, two cases of tendon hyperreflexia, one case of positive pathology, and five cases of cranial nerve involvement (the facial nerve and oculomotor nerve) were noted. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination of five patients showed albuminocytologic dissociation. Electromyography (EMG) was used to examine seven patients; the results were normal in four patients, showed axonal involvement in two patients, and showed demyelination in one patient. The head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results of all seven patients were normal. Electroencephalogram (EEG) background activity in the five monitored patients was slowed down. Seven patients underwent serum antibody testing, three of whom were positive for anti-GQ1b antibody, while one was positive for anti-GM1 antibody. Three patients received glucocorticoid combined with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy, and four received only IVIG therapy. One patient required a nasal catheter for oxygen during the disease course, and left upper limb muscle dysfunction (grade III muscle strength of the left upper limb) was observed during the 6-month follow-up. The other six patients had a good prognosis and no dysfunction.Conclusion: Our study identified clinical, imaging, and treatment characteristics that may have prognostic value for pediatric BBE. The positive rate of head MRI was low, the positive rate of serum anti-GQ1b ganglioside antibody was low, and the therapeutic effect of IVIG therapy was good.

Guillain‐Barré syndrome during SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic: A case report and review of recent literature

Acute demyelinating inflammatory polyneuropathy (AIDP) is the most common type of Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) in Europe, following several viral and bacterial infections. Data on AIDP‐patients associated with SARS‐CoV‐2 (coronavirus‐2) infection are scarce. We describe the case of a 54‐years‐old Caucasian female patient with typical clinical and electrophysiological manifestations of AIDP, who was reported positive with PCR for SARS‐CoV‐2, 3 weeks prior to onset of the neurological symptoms. She did not experience a preceding fever or respiratory symptoms, but a transient loss of smell and taste. At the admission to our neurological department, a progressive proximally pronounced paraparesis, areflexia, and sensory loss with tingling of all extremities were found, which began 10 days before. The modified Erasmus Giullain‐Barré Syndrome outcome score (mEGOS) was 3/9 at admission and 1/12 at day 7 of hospitalization. The electrophysiological assessment proved a segmental demyelinating polyneuropathy and cerebrospinal fluid examination showed an albuminocytologic dissociation. The neurological symptoms improved significantly during treatment with immunoglobulins. Our case draws attention to the occurrence of GBS also in patients with COVID‐19 (coronavirus disease 2019), who did not experience respiratory or general symptoms. It emphasizes that SARS‐CoV‐2 induces immunological processes, regardless from the lack of prodromic symptoms. However, it is likely that there is a connection between the severity of the respiratory syndrome and further neurological consequences.

Incidence of Guillain-Barré syndrome at a secondary centre during the 2016 Zika virus outbreak

IntroductionAlthough Guillain-Barré syndrome is rare, a marked increase in incidence was observed during the 2016 Zika outbreak in the Americas, with no direct causal relationship being apparent in all cases. MethodsCases of febrile exanthematous disease and acute flaccid paralysis were reviewed during the period from 1 August to 15 December, 2016; clinical and biochemical assessment was performed for each case to identify Zika-related Guillain-Barré syndrome. ResultsDuring the study period, we identified 8 patients (6 men and 2 women) with Zika-related Guillain-Barré syndrome, with the most affected age group being 50-59 years. The highest incidence was in the month of September, with 7 cases. The most frequent symptoms were rash and conjunctivitis, followed by fever. The most common presentation was symmetrical ascending paralysis, present in 7 cases. Cranial nerve VII was the most frequently involved nerve. Only 2 patients presented albuminocytologic dissociation. RT-PCR returned negative results for Zika virus in all patients. All patients received intravenous immunoglobulin and all had a good prognosis. None warranted mechanical ventilation. No deaths were recorded. The cumulative incidence rate was 3.9%, monthly incidence was between 0.04 and 2 cases/month. ConclusionsCases of Guillain-Barré syndrome increased during the Zika outbreak, with an increase in incidence and number of cases per month; however, a direct causal relationship between the 2 conditions could not be demonstrated.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis in Dogs and Cats with Neurological Diseases

Background:Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is of great importance for evaluation of patients with central nervous system problems, because it helps to confirm or exclude many diseases when evaluated together with other relevant clinical and ancillary laboratory tests. As there are few studies in Brazil describing results of CSF analysis in dogs and cats, the objective of the present study was to evaluate results of CSF analysis in a period of ten years, grouping the changes observed, mainly total and differential cell count and total protein concentration, according to the following etiological categories of diseases: inflammatory, degenerative, traumatic, neoplastic and vascular disorders.Materials, Methods &Results:Medical records of dogs and cats with neurological diseases that had CSF collected and analyzed at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital between 2008 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient data included breed, sex, body weight, age at presentation, findings of clinical and neurological examination, results of CSF analysis, diagnostic imaging and other laboratory tests results including PCR and serologies for infectious diseases. A total of 245 CSF exams were studied (240 dogs and five cats). The established normal range for protein concentration was less than 25 mg/dL for cisternal collection and less than 45 mg/dL for lumbar puncture. Total nucleated cell count was considered normal when less than 5 cells/µL, with a predominance of mononuclear cells. Both pleocytosis and increased concentration of the protein level were classified as discrete, moderate and marked, and the pleocytosis was further classified as mononuclear, neutrophilic and mixed cell pleocytosis. The information obtained was analyzed in relation to the neurological syndromes and etiological categories of neurological diseases. The most frequent syndrome was thoracolumbar and the less frequent was cerebellar. Regarding the etiological categories, the most frequent in decreasing order were inflammatory, infectious, degenerative, neoplastic, traumatic, vascular and episodic. CSF examination was abnormal in 72% of cases. In viral infectious diseases, there was predominantly mononuclear pleocytosis with a slight increase of protein, whereas in dogs with presumptive diagnosis of meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO), marked mononuclear and mixed pleocytosis predominated with moderate to marked protein increase. In degenerative diseases, however, the absence of pleocytosis or mild pleocytosis, with normal to slightly increased protein was most observed. In neoplastic diseases there was a high frequency of mild to moderate pleocytosis, with and without albuminocytological dissociation, while in spinal trauma there was mainly mononuclear pleocytosis. A slight increase in protein was observed mainly in infectious, degenerative, neoplastic and traumatic diseases, while moderate to marked increase was more observed in cases of presumptive diagnosis of MUO. Albuminocytological dissociation was observed in half of the cases of neoplasia and less frequently in degenerative, infectious and traumatic diseases.Discussion: The exam was altered in a considerable number of patientsand provided important information even when normal. The diseases with more abnormalities were inflammatory/infectious and neoplastic diseases. When the exam was normal, the most frequent condition was degenerative diseases. Although the changes were not specific for each class of neurological disease, there were certain trends regarding pleocytosis type and protein increase in some of them. Based on the results of this retrospective study, result of CSF analysis, when interpreted along with signalment, etiological categories of diseases, neurological syndromes, and results of other complementary tests, provided support for the diagnosis of various neurological diseases.

Clinical analysis of 11 children with variants of Guillain-Barré syndrome

From November, 2010 to February, 2018, 11 children with variants of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) were treated in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. Clinical manifestations included cranial nerve involvement in 9 cases, limb weakness in 9 cases, ataxia in 8 cases, abnormal sensation in 7 cases, weakened or disappeared tendon reflex in all cases, albuminocytologic dissociation of cerebrospinal fluid in 6 cases, and neurogenic changes in electromyography in 8 cases. Immune globulin and steroids were given to 5 cases and 1 case, respectively, while the combination of immune globulin with steroids was given to 1 case, and symptomatic treatment was given to 4 cases. All treatments were effective, remaining no apparent side effect for nervous system. The diagnosis of GBS variants was based on clinical manifestation. Patients who had cranial nerve involvement, ataxia and weakened or disappeared tendon reflex should be paid attention. Albuminocytologic dissociation of cerebrospinal fluid and electromyography were helpful to diagnosis. GBS variants were self-limited disease. Immunotherapy can ease the patients' critical condition.

Analysis of differences in epidemiology and clinical features of Guillain-Barré syndrome between rural and urban areas of southern China

Objective: To explore the differences in epidemiology and clinical features of Guillain- Barré syndrome (GBS) between rural and urban areas of southern China. Methods: The clinical data of 759 hospitalized GBS patients from 31 hospitals of 13 provinces/cities in southern China, between January 1st, 2013 and September 30th, 2016, were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Results: The risk of GBS was higher for males than females in rural and urban areas and the median age was 49 and 48 years, respectively. Seasonal clustering in winter and spring was noted in both rural and urban areas, and the seasonal trend was more markedly in rural areas, but the differences showed no statistical significance. There were 70.37% of patients in rural areas and 73.69% in urban areas who had antecedent respiratory infection. The median time from onset to nadir was 7 days, and Hughes Disability Scale at admission, nadir and discharge were (2.95±1.10 vs 2.84±1.15), (3.25±1.11 vs 3.14±1.21), (2.02±1.24 vs 2.00±1.31) in rural and urban areas respectively. Albuminocytologic dissociation was present in 84.34% of patients in rural areas and 84.62% of cases in urban areas. There were 8.65% and 10.94% of cases in rural and urban areas who required mechanical ventilation during hospitalization, respectively. Demyelinating GBS accounted for 53.29% and 48.77%, respectively, in patients with findings of nerve conduction studies available in rural and urban areas. Conclusions: GBS in rural areas of southern China showed male predominance and a peak of spring and winter occurrence, with respiratory infection as the predominated preceding events and demyelinating GBS being main clinical subtype. Winter and spring showed a higher incidence of GBS in rural and urban areas. There were no significant differences of sex, age, preceding events, season trend, progression of disease, clinical subtypes and cerebrospinal fluid investigations in GBS patients between rural and urban areas.