Guillain-barré syndrome: modern theories of etiology

ATP-P2X7 signaling mediates brain pathology while contributing to viral control in perinatal Zika virus infection

Zika virus (ZIKV), the causative agent of Zika fever, is a flavivirus transmitted by mosquitoes of the Aedes genus. Zika virus infection has become an international concern due to its association with severe neurological complications such as fetal microcephaly. Viral infection can induce the release of ATP in the extracellular environment, activating receptors sensitized by extracellular nucleotides, such as the P2X7 receptor. This receptor is the primary purinergic receptor involved in neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and immunity. In this work, we investigated the role of ATP-P2X7 receptor signaling in Zika-related brain abnormalities. Wild-type mice (WT) and P2X7 receptor-deficient (P2X7-/-) C57BL/6 newborn mice were subcutaneously inoculated with 5 × 106plaque-forming units of ZIKV or mock solution. P2X7 receptor expression increased in the brain of Zika virus-infected mice compared to the mock group. Comparative analyses of the hippocampi from WT and P2X7-/-mice revealed that the P2X7 receptor increased hippocampal damage in CA1/CA2 and CA3 regions. Doublecortin expression decreased significantly in the brains of ZIKV-infected mice. WT ZIKV-infected mice showed impaired motor performance compared to P2X7-/- infected mice. WT ZIKV-infected animals showed increased expression of glial markers GFAP (astrocytes) and IBA-1 (microglia) compared to P2X7-/- infected mice. Although the P2X7 receptor contributes to neuronal loss and neuroinflammation, WT mice were more efficient in controlling the viral load in the brain than P2X7 receptor-deficient mice. This result was associated with higher induction of TNF-α, IFN-β, and increased interferon-stimulated gene expression in WT mice than P2X7-/-ZIKV-infected. Finally, we found that the P2X7 receptor contributes to inhibiting the neuroprotective signaling pathway AKT/mTOR while stimulating the caspase-3 activation, possibly two distinct pathways contributing to neurodegeneration. These findings suggest that ATP-P2X7 receptor signaling contributes to the antiviral response in the brain of ZIKV-infected mice while increasing neuronal loss, neuroinflammation, and related brain abnormalities.

A 'Decrescendo' in a Woman With Ascending Paralysis: A Diagnostic Challenge

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune condition that causes muscular weakness and can be potentially life-threatening if not identified early. GBS is diagnosed definitively by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and electromyographic (EMG) studies. Identifying illnesses that may have triggered GBS is crucial, as they could affect the course of the disease. Our patient was a 27-year-old woman who developed lower extremity weakness a few days after being treated for a dental abscess. Laboratory and imaging studies ruled out central nervous system (CNS) lesions, myelopathies, and metabolic causes. Diagnosis was difficult due to inconclusive initial investigations, refusal of lumbar puncture, and delayed availability of EMG studies. Additionally, there were no identifiable triggers to support GBS as a diagnosis. During the hospital course, the patient developed tachycardia with new electrocardiogram (EKG) changes. A transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) showed suspicious vegetation, and a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) confirmed severe mitral regurgitation. The new valvular lesions and autonomic dysfunction with worsening lower extremity weakness increased our suspicion of GBS. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) was administered empirically, but she developed bulbar symptoms, prompting admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). A lumbar puncture performed at this time was negative for albumino-cytological dissociation and CNS infections.  Signs of sepsis with valvular lesions raised concerns for infective endocarditis (IE). Due to recent treatment with antibiotics for dental abscess, a negative blood culture was a confounding factor in Duke's criteria, delaying the diagnosis of IE. Infectious disease experts suggested empirical treatment for suspected blood culture-negative infective endocarditis (BCNE) and valvular abscess. She was transferred to a cardiothoracic care facility for valvular surgery evaluation. EMG studies identified the patient's condition as the acute motor sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN) variant of GBS. The patient's antibodies tested positive for Campylobacter jejuni (C. Jejuni) immunoglobulin G (IgG). Since this indicates a past infection, it is uncertain whether C. Jejuni triggered the patient's GBS. However, new valvular vegetation and acute-onset lower extremity weakness make us hypothesize that BCNE may have triggered GBS.

Characteristics of Patients Diagnosed With Guillain-Barré Syndrome at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, From 2000 to 2018

BACKGROUND

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is the leading cause of non-polio acute flaccid paralysis worldwide, emphasizing the importance of epidemiological studies on this condition. Therefore, well-designed epidemiological studies in different populations can provide a better understanding of the characteristics of patients with GBS and the nature of the disease. To our knowledge, no previous study has attempted to describe the characteristics of patients with GBS in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) based on disease subtypes and clinical features in both adult and pediatric patients. This study aimed to assess the frequencies of GBS subtypes and their relationships with patient characteristics and clinical data in a tertiary hospital in Jeddah, KSA.

METHODS

This was a retrospective review of patients diagnosed with GBS between January 2000 and January 2018 at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), a tertiary center in Jeddah, KSA.

RESULTS

In total, 47 patients with GBS (median age: seven years for pediatric and 36 years for adult patients) were included in the current study. There were six male and three female pediatric patients and 19 male and 19 female adult patients. Among patients with GBS who were classified into a specific electrophysiological subtype (n = 28), 13 (46.2%) had acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP), 11 (39%) had an axonal subtype, and four (14%) had Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS). Patients required prolonged hospitalization of approximately 20 ± 22 days (2.83 ± 3.11 weeks). Patients with MFS were more likely to have higher cytoalbuminologic dissociation than those with other subtypes.

CONCLUSION

AIDP was the most frequent type of GBS, followed by the axonal type. Patients required prolonged hospitalization of approximately 20 ± 22 days (2.83 ± 3.11 weeks). Patients with MFS were more likely to have higher cytoalbuminologic dissociation than those with other subtypes. GBS type did not show a relationship with ICU admission or mechanical ventilation use. There was no association between specific therapies and different GBS subtypes and no significant difference in outcomes between different patterns of clinical presentation. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and plasma exchange (PE) treatments both had the same efficacy in relation to outcomes for patients with GBS.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome and COVID-19 Vaccine: A Multicenter Retrospective Study of 46 Cases

ABSTRACT

In the context of the global vaccination campaign against COVID-19, several cases of postvaccinal Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) were reported. Whether a causal relationship exists between these events has yet to be established. We investigated the clinical and electromyographic characteristics of patients who developed GBS after COVID-19 vaccination and compare these with findings in patients with GBS, without a history of recent vaccination. We included 91 cases between March 2020 and March 2022, treated at 10 referral hospitals of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Of these, 46 had received vaccination against COVID-19 within the previous month. Although Medical Research Council sum-scores were similar in both groups (median 52 vs. 50; P = 0.4), cranial nerve involvement was significantly more frequent in the postvaccination group (59% vs. 38%; P = 0.02), as was bilateral facial paralysis (57% vs. 24%; P = 0.002). No differences were found in clinical or neurophysiological phenotypes, although 17 subjects presented the variant of bilateral facial palsy with paresthesias (11 vs. 6; P = 0.1); nor were significant differences observed in length of hospital stay or mortality rates. Future vaccine safety monitoring and epidemiology studies are essential to demonstrate any potential causal relationship between these events.

Cyclophosphamide in the Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus-related Guillain-Barré Syndrome: A Systematic Review of Case Reports

A small category of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) occurs in the presence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, specific treatments for this condition have not been established. Cyclophosphamide (CYC) has been reported to benefit patients with SLE-related GBS in some isolated case reports. Consequently, our objective was to investigate the effectiveness of CYC in SLE-related GBS by means of a systematic literature review. Three online databases, PubMed, Embase and Web of Science, were searched for English articles describing the effectiveness of CYC treatment for SLE-related GBS. We extracted data on patient characteristics, disease course, and CYC efficacy and tolerance. Of 995 studies identified, 26 were included in this systematic review. The data for 28 patients (9 men and 19 women) with SLE-related GBS were reviewed, and the patient age at diagnosis varied from 9 to 72 years (mean: 31.5 years [median: 30.5 years]). Sixteen patients (57.1%) had SLE-related GBS before SLE diagnosis. With regard to CYC response, 24 patients (85.7%) showed resolution (46.4%) or improvement (39.3%) of neurological symptoms. Relapse occurred in one patient (3.6%). Four patients (14.3%) showed no improvement in neurological symptoms following CYC administration. With regard to CYC safety, infections developed in two patients (7.1%), and one death (3.6%) due to posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome was reported. Lymphopenia developed in one patient (3.6%). Our preliminary data suggest that CYC appears to be an effective treatment for SLE-related GBS. However, it is important to differentiate patients with pure GBS concurrent with SLE, because CYC is ineffective for pure GBS.

COVID-19 as a trigger of Guillain-Barré syndrome: A review of the molecular mechanism

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused a pandemic with serious complications. After coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), several post-acute COVID-19 syndromes (PACSs) and long-COVID sequels were reported. PACSs involve many organs, including the nervous, gustatory, and immune systems. One of the PACSs after SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination is Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The incidence rate of GBS after SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination is low. However, the high prevalence of COVID-19 and severe complications of GBS, for example, autonomic dysfunction and respiratory failure, highlight the importance of post-COVID-19 GBS. It is while patients with simultaneous COVID-19 and GBS seem to have higher admission rates to the intensive care unit, and demyelination is more aggressive in post-COVID-19 GBS patients. SARS-CoV-2 can trigger GBS via several pathways like direct neurotropism and neurovirulence, microvascular dysfunction and oxidative stress, immune system disruption, molecular mimicry, and autoantibody production. Although there are few molecular studies on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of GBS occurrence after SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination, we aimed to discuss the possible pathomechanism of post-COVID-19 GBS by gathering the most recent molecular evidence.

Landscape of Guillain-Barré Syndrome Interventional Clinical Trials

INTRODUCTION

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an immune-mediated polyradiculoneuropathy that remains a debilitating disease despite medical treatment. Numerous challenges still exist, including the development of disease-modifying therapies that can improve prognosis, particularly in patients with poor prognostic outcomes. In this study, we explored clinical trials related to GBS, analyzed the trial characteristics, suggested some ideas for improvement, and discussed recent advances.

METHODS

On December 30, 2021, the authors searched ClinicalTrials.gov for all interventional and therapeutic clinical trials related to GBS, without any restrictions on the date or location. Trial characteristics including trial duration, location, phase, sample size, and publications were retrieved and analyzed.

RESULTS

Twenty-one trials fulfilled the selection criteria. Clinical trials were conducted in 11 different countries, most of them occurring in Asia. On average, the trial duration across the phases was around 2 years. About two-thirds of trials were completed, and 39% of trials were in the early phases (1 and 2). Only 24% of all trials and 60% of completed trials have publications in this study.

CONCLUSIONS

The study revealed a low number of trials, lack of geographic diversity, scanty enrollment of patients, and paucity of clinical trial duration and publications regarding GBS clinical trials. Optimization of GBS trials is fundamental to achieving effective therapies for this disease.

Acute Pericarditis as the Primary Presentation of COVID-19 Infection followed by Guillain-Barre Syndrome in a Healthy Young Man: A Case Report

Background

Symptomatic COVID-19 infection most often presents as acute respiratory distress syndrome. Acute pericarditis and Guillain-Barré syndrome are rare extrapulmonary manifestations of this infection.

Case Presentation

A 27-year-old man presented with chest pain, with negative troponin and typical electrocardiographic findings, resulting in a diagnosis of acute pericarditis. He had no respiratory symptoms, nor the chest computerized tomography (CT) scan findings of COVID-19, and his Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was negative. One week later, he developed clinical symptoms of Guillain-Barre syndrome, along with respiratory manifestations of COVID-19. His repeat chest CT scan and PCR test confirmed COVID-19 infection. After 17 days of hospital stay, he improved clinically and was discharged.

Conclusion

This is the first case of acute pericarditis as the primary presentation of COVID-19 in the absence of respiratory symptoms and a clear chest CT scan, followed by the development of Guillain-Barré syndrome and respiratory tract manifestations of COVID-19. Clinicians should be aware of the extrapulmonary presentation of COVID-19 infection.

Sex differences in Guillain Barré syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy and experimental autoimmune neuritis

Guillain Barré syndrome (GBS) and its variants, and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP and its variants, are regarded as immune mediated neuropathies. Unlike in many autoimmune disorders, GBS and CIDP are more common in males than females. Sex is not a clear predictor of outcome. Experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN) is an animal model of these diseases, but there are no studies of the effects of sex in EAN. The pathogenesis of GBS and CIDP involves immune response to non-protein antigens, antigen presentation through non-conventional T cells and, in CIDP with nodopathy, IgG4 antibody responses to antigens. There are some reported sex differences in some of these elements of the immune system and we speculate that these sex differences could contribute to the male predominance of these diseases, and suggest that sex differences in peripheral nerves is a topic worthy of further study.

Guillain Barre Syndrome as a Complication of COVID-19: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

In January 2020, the first case of Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS) due to COVID-19 was documented in China. GBS is known to be postinfectious following several types of infections. Although causality can only be proven through large epidemiological studies, we intended to study this association by a thorough review of the literature.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Google scholar and included all papers with English or Spanish full text and original data of patients with GBS and recent COVID infection. Variables of interest were demographics, diagnostic investigations, and the latency between arboviral and neurological symptoms. Further variables were pooled to identify GBS clinical and electrophysiological variants, used treatments, and outcomes. The certainty of GBS diagnosis was verified using Brighton criteria.

RESULTS

We identified a total of 109 GBS cases. Ninety-nine cases had confirmed COVID-19 infection with an average age of 56.07 years. The average latency period between the arboviral symptoms and neurologic manifestations for confirmed COVID-19 cases was 12.2 d. The predominant GBS clinical and electromyography variants were the classical sensorimotor GBS and acute demyelinating polyneuropathy respectively. Forty cases required intensive care, 33 cases required mechanical ventilation, and 6 cases were complicated by death.

CONCLUSIONS

Studies on COVID-19-related GBS commonly reported sensorimotor demyelinating GBS with frequent facial palsy. The time between the onset of infectious and neurological symptoms suggests a postinfectious mechanism. Early diagnosis of GBS in COVID-19 patients is important as it might be associated with a severe disease course requiring intensive care and mechanical ventilation.

Papillomavirus vaccination and Guillain-Barre Syndrome among girls: A cohort study in Spain

BACKGROUND

Studies of the association of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) with papillomavirus vaccination (HPVv; scheduled from 2007) have provided contradicting results, probably due to the low frequency of this disease. We aimed at estimating that risk relative to non-vaccination among girls, by using the Spanish Primary Care Database for Pharmacoepidemiological Research (BIFAP).

METHODS

A cohort study of girls aged 9-18 years during 2007-2016 free of GBS or HPVv was selected and followed up to GBS diagnosis. Follow-up time was divided by time-varying HPVv exposure and confounders. Crude Incidence rates (IR per 1,000,000 person-years (py)) and adjusted Hazard Ratios (HR) of GBS were estimated anytime after vaccination compared to non-exposed periods. HRs were also estimated for the first 90 days after HPVv (risk-window) and thereafter.

RESULTS

Out of 388,849 girls, of which 154,255 were vaccinated, 6 'confirmed' GBS cases occurred during non-exposure periods (IR of 5.83 per million person-years; 95% CI: 2.62-12.97) and 3 'confirmed' cases anytime after vaccination (IR of 7.87; 95% CI: 2.54-24.39). The resulting adjusted HR anytime after vaccination was 1.24 (95% CI: 0.19-8.00). All three cases occurred after the risk window of 90 days with an HR of 1.77 (95% CI: 0.25-12.54) for post-exposure periods as compared with non-exposure. Since zero cases occurred during the risk window, no HR could be estimated for exposed periods.

CONCLUSIONS

Incidences of GBS were in line with the range previously reported for young people, supporting the potential of BIFAP for performing studies on GBS. However, a lack of power may be present for quantifying the relative risk of such a rare disease after the vaccination among the study cohort, where we can only exclude an increased risk of 8-times relative to no vaccination.

Concomitant Guillain-Barre syndrome with COVID-19: a case report

BACKGROUND

During the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, different neurological manifestations have been observed. However, only a few cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and COVID-19 have been reported. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate a case of concomitant GBS with COVID-19 in Colombia.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 39-year-old woman was admitted to a teaching hospital in Barranquilla, Colombia with a history of progressive general weakness with lower limb dominance. Previous symptoms such as ageusia, anosmia and intense headache were reported. Upon admission, facial diplegia, quadriparesis with lower extremity predominance and Medical Research Council muscular strength of 2/5 in the lower limbs and 4/5 in the upper limbs were reported. During clinical evolution, due to general areflexia, hypertensive emergency and progressive diaphragmatic weakness, the patient was admitted to an intensive care unit. The cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed protein-cytological dissociation and the GBS diagnosis was confirmed via a nerve conduction and electromyography test. With regard to the symptoms before hospitalisation, SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing was performed with positive results in the second test. The patient was managed with supportive care and was discharged after 20 days of hospitalization with clinical improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Only a few cases of COVID-19 with GBS have been reported. Different subtypes have been previously identified, such as Miller-Fisher syndrome and dysautonomic GBS with SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study investigated the first confirmed case of COVID-19 with concomitant GBS in Colombia. In patients with GBS, several viral and bacterial pathogens have been found in case-control studies but the factors that induce the immune-mediated destruction of the nerve tissues have not been determined. Further studies are needed to determine the possible association between COVID-19 exposure and GBS.

Burden of Disease of Guillain-Barré Syndrome in Brazil before and during the Zika virus epidemic 2014-2016

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the burden of disease of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in Brazil in 2014, 1 year before the Zika virus epidemic, and in 2015 and 2016 during the epidemic.

METHODS

The burden of disease of GBS was estimated using the summary measure of population health: Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY), that combines both mortality (Years of Life Lost YLLs) and morbidity (Years Lived with Disability) components. The study population was composed of GBS hospitalised cases and deaths from the information systems of the Brazilian Unified Health System.

RESULTS

The GBS incidence rate in 2014, 2015 and 2016 was 0.74, 0.96, 1.02/100 000 respectively, and the mortality rate in the same period was 0.08, 0.009 and 0.11/100 000 habitants. The DALYs calculated using the point estimate of GBS disability weight and its values of the confidence interval (0.198 and 0.414) were 5725.90 (5711.79-5742.89) in 2014, 6054.61 (6035.57-6077.54) in 2015 and 7588.49 (7570.20-7610.51) in 2016. The DALYs were high among the male population and in age groups between 20 and 50 years.

CONCLUSIONS

The increase in DALYs in the years 2015 and 2016 compared to 2014 probably resulted from the introduction of ZIKV in Brazil, reinforcing the importance of investments in the prevention of ZIKV infection and in the care of GBS patients.

Is an Increased Risk of Developing Guillain-Barré Syndrome Associated with Seasonal Influenza Vaccination? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

While the weight of epidemiological evidence does not support a causal link with influenza vaccination evaluated over the last 30 years, Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) has been considered a vaccine-associated adverse event of interest since 1976. To investigate the existence of GBS risk after vaccination against seasonal influenza, a systematic review and meta-analysis have been conducted based on 22 eligible epidemiological studies from 1981 to 2019 reporting 26 effect sizes (ESs) in different influenza seasons. The primary result of our meta-analysis pointed to no risk of vaccine-associated GBS, as documented by a pooled ES of 1.15 (95% CI: 0.97–1.35). Conversely, an obvious high risk of GBS was observed in patients with previous influenza-like illness (ILI), as demonstrated by a pooled ES of 9.6 (95% CI: 4.0–23.0) resulting from a supplementary analysis. While the meta-analysis did not confirm the putative risk of vaccine-associated GBS suggested by many epidemiological studies, vaccination against seasonal influenza reduced the risk of developing ILI-associated GBS by about 88%. However, to obtain strong evidence, more epidemiological studies are warranted to establish a possible coincidence between vaccination and ILI prior to GBS onset.

Vaccines and the risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome

The role of vaccination in the development of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is controversial, although cases of GBS have been reported following a wide range of vaccines. A nested case-control study was conducted between January 2011 and December 2015 in three Chinese cities. Four controls were matched to a case by gender, age, address and index date. An independent expert committee validated the diagnoses of cases and controls according to the Brighton Collaboration GBS case definition. Data on vaccinations were obtained from computerized vaccination records. Causal relations were assessed by conditional logistic regression. 1056 cases of GBS and 4312 controls were included in the analyses. Among paediatric and adult population, adjusted ORs for GBS occurrence within 180 days following vaccination were 0.94 (95% CI 0.54-1.62) and 1.09 (95% CI 0.88-1.32), respectively. No increased risk of GBS was detected for vaccination against hepatitis B, influenza, hepatitis A, varicella, rabies, polio(live), diphtheria, pertuss(acellular), tetanusis, measles, mumps, rubella, Japanese Encephalitis, and meningitis vaccines. Adjusted ORs for the recurrence of GBS after vaccination among paediatric and adult population were 0.85 (95% CI 0.07-9.50) and 1.18 (95% CI 0.49-2.65), respectively. In this large retrospective study, we did not find evidence of an increased risk of GBS and its recurrence among either paediatric (≤ 18 years) or adult (> 18 years) individuals within the 180 days following vaccinations of any kind, including influenza vaccination.

Isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) deficiency and Guillain-Barré syndrome occurring in a patient treated with nivolumab

The increased use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has led to the observation of a variety of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). These irAEs occur usually within the first months after ICIs onset and can involve theorically all organs. We describe two rare irAEs occurring in a 70-year-old caucasian man who was treated with nivolumab for an advanced urothelial cancer of the left kidney. He developed an isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency that was diagnosed at week 19 and a neurological complication that appeared at week 79 and initially confounded with a lumbar spinal stenosis. Diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome was finally confirmed with the complete resolution of symptoms after 5 days of intravenous immunoglobulin and corticosteroids. We highlight the importance of quickly recognising these potential life-threatening irAEs such as cortisol insufficiency and neurologic adverse events whose initially presentation could be non-specific.

Guillain-Barré syndrome and influenza vaccines: current evidence

OBJECTIVE

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) as a consequence of influenza vaccination is a relevant topic, yet to be clarified, which raises concern both amongst health care personnel and the general population. Every study and pharmacovigilance system point to need of further research and the importance of continuous monitoring of safety regarding influenza vaccines. The aim of the present study is to investigate the publication of new data since the realisation of our meta-analysis of GBS and influenza vaccines (published in 2015).

METHODS

A systematic revision of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Knowledge (WOS) databases has been carried out. These report observational studies assessing GBS risk after the administration of influenza vaccines from May 2014 up to July 20th, 2017.

RESULTS

The research yielded 107 articles. Only three studies met established inclusion criteria and referred to an estimation GBS risk after some influenza vaccine. Two studies investigated GBS risk by the pandemic A/H1N1 vaccine, while only one looked into season vaccines.

CONCLUSIONS

The present systematic review, conducted after the publication of our previous meta-analysis, seems to confirm its previous results. Therefore, GBS should be considered an infrequent adverse effect of influenza vaccination, which should not negatively influence its acceptance. Unfortunately, very few of the systematically surveyed studies meeting inclusion criteria. This fact sharply contrasts with the current consensus as to the need of continuously monitoring the safety of influenza vaccines.

Reactivation of Chronic Hepatitis C as a Potential Trigger for Guillain-Barré Syndrome

A 74-year-old man with a past medical history of chronic low back pain presented with two to three weeks of progressive weakness starting in the lower extremities and then spreading to the upper extremities. Distal muscles were more affected than proximal muscles; weakness was accompanied by numbness and paresthesias. There was no preceding acute viral, respiratory, or gastrointestinal illness. Initial workup revealed hepatitis C antibody reactivity, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis showed albuminocytologic dissociation. MRI demonstrated multilevel degenerative changes and diffuse enhancement of the cauda equina nerve roots compatible with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Repeat testing confirmed ongoing hepatitis C infection with increasing quantitative hepatitis C virus (HCV) levels. This case illustrates an interesting presentation of GBS potentially triggered by hepatitis C reactivation. This is the first case, to our knowledge, with serologic evidence demonstrating acute hepatitis C reactivation concurrent with GBS which presented in the absence of immunomodulatory interferon treatment. The patient continues to recover with ongoing rehabilitation at the time of this case report.

Systematic review of factors associated with the development of Guillain-Barré syndrome 2007-2017: what has changed?

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to describe the factors associated with the development of Guillain-Barré syndrome, both infectious and non-infectious, during and after the A(H1N1) influenza pandemic in 2009 and the recent Zika virus epidemic in the Americas.

METHOD

Systematic review of literature on factors associated with the development of the Guillain-Barré syndrome published between 2007 and 2017 listed in EBSCO, MEDLINE and LILACS databases. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale.

RESULTS

Thirty-four articles met inclusion criteria and were selected for analysis. Their quality was considered good in relation to most of the items evaluated. Many aetiological agents had the results of association with Guillain-Barré syndrome, among them Campylobacter jejuni, influenza vaccine - both pandemic and seasonal vaccines, respiratory infection, gastrointestinal infection among others. The aetiological agents found are, in most part, the same reported prior to the study period. The association with surgeries, chikungunya virus (CHIKV), Zika virus and quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine stand out as new aetiological agents in the list of the various possible agents that trigger Guillain-Barré syndrome reported in the study period. There were no Brazilian studies identified during this period.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the review reaffirmed C. jejuni as the major trigger of GBS, whereas the association of influenza vaccines and GBS is less clear; Zika virus infection in association with GBS was found in only one study.

The effects of vasoactive intestinal peptide in the rat model of experimental autoimmune neuritis and the implications for treatment of acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy or Guillain-Barré syndrome

Background

Guillain-Barré syndrome is an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy that is characterized histologically by demyelination of peripheral nerves and nerve roots, infiltrates of T lymphocytes, and an inflammatory response that includes macrophage infiltrates. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in a rat model of experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN).

Methods

Forty male Lewis rats were divided into a control group (N=10), an EAN group (N=10), an EAN group treated with 15 nmol of VIP (N=10), and an EAN group treated with 30 nmol of VIP (N=10). The rat model was created by subcutaneous injection of P2 polypeptide (200 µg P257-81) into the base of the tail. Intraperitoneal injection of VIP was given on day 7. Rats were weighed and functionally evaluated using an EAN score (0-10). On day 16, the rats were euthanized. The sciatic nerve was examined histologically and using immunohistochemistry with antibodies against CD8, CD68, and forkhead box p3 (Foxp3). Serum concentrations of IL-17 and interferon-α (IFN-α) were measured by ELISA on day 16 after creating the EAN model.

Results

The VIP-treated EAN groups had increased body weight and improved EAN scores compared with the untreated EAN group. CD8-positive and CD68-positive cells were significantly reduced in the EAN group treated with 30 nmol of VIP compared with 15 nmol of VIP. Foxp3-positive cells were significantly decreased in both EAN groups treated with VIP, and serum concentrations of IL-17 and IFN-α were significantly lower compared with the untreated EAN group (P<0.05).

Conclusion

In a rat model of EAN, treatment with VIP resulted in functional improvement, reduced nerve inflammation, and decreased serum levels of inflammatory cytokines.

Risk of Guillain-Barré Syndrome following quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine in the Vaccine Safety Datalink

OBJECTIVE

Describe the Vaccine Safety Datalink's (VSD) Guillain Barré Syndrome (GBS) surveillance following quadrivalent HPV vaccine (4vHPV) from 2006 through 2015.

METHODS

Among 4vHPV vaccinated persons aged 9-26, ICD-9 coded GBS was identified in VSD's electronic data. Medical records were reviewed and adjudicated to confirm GBS. We calculated incidence rates of confirmed GBS within 1-42days following 4vHPV with a one-sided 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS

Following 2,773,185 4vHPV doses, we confirmed 1 case of GBS in a male and no cases among females. The incidence rate of medical record confirmed GBS within 42days following 4vHPV vaccine was 0.36 cases per million 4vHPV doses administered (1-sided 95% CI 1.71), which was less than the background rate.

CONCLUSION

We found no evidence of an increased risk of GBS following 4vHPV. With an upper 95% confidence limit, we estimate that, if an increased risk exists, we would expect at most 1.08 additional cases of GBS per million people vaccinated with 4vHPV.

Replication of the Zika virus in different iPSC-derived neuronal cells and implications to assess efficacy of antivirals

Infections with the Zika virus (ZIKV) are responsible for congenital abnormalities and neurological disorders. We here demonstrate that ZIKV productively infects three types of human iPSC (induced pluripotent stem cells)-derived cells from the neural lineage, i.e. cortical and motor neurons as well as astrocytes. ZIKV infection results in all three cell types in the production of infectious virus particles and induces cytopathic effects (CPE). In cortical and motor neurons, an Asian isolate (PRVABC59) produced roughly 10-fold more virus than the prototypic African strain (MR766 strain). Viral replication and CPE is efficiently inhibited by the nucleoside polymerase inhibitor 7-deaza-2'-C-methyladenosine (7DMA). However, ribavirin and favipiravir, two molecules that inhibit ZIKV replication in Vero cells, did not inhibit ZIKV replication in the neuronal cells. These results highlight the need to assess the potential antiviral activity of novel ZIKV inhibitors in stem cell derived neuronal cultures.

Vaccination and autoimmune diseases: is prevention of adverse health effects on the horizon?

Autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes mellitus, affect about 5% of the worldwide population. In the last decade, reports have accumulated on various autoimmune disorders, such as idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura, myopericarditis, primary ovarian failure, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), following vaccination. In this review, we discuss the possible underlying mechanisms of autoimmune reactions following vaccinations and review cases of autoimmune diseases that have been correlated with vaccination. Molecular mimicry and bystander activation are reported as possible mechanisms by which vaccines can cause autoimmune reactions. The individuals who might be susceptible to develop these reactions could be especially not only those with previous post-vaccination phenomena and those with allergies but also in individuals who are prone to develop autoimmune diseases, such as those with a family history of autoimmunity or with known autoantibodies, and the genetic predisposed individuals. Further research is encouraged into the direct associations between vaccines and autoimmune conditions, and the biological mechanisms behind them.

The clinical characteristics and short-term prognosis in elderly patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome

To investigate the clinical characteristics and short-term prognosis of elderly patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of adult GBS. According to the age, the enrolled subjects were divided into 2 groups, that is, patients ≥60 years (elderly group) and those aged 18 to 59 years (nonelderly group). The clinical characteristics and short-term prognosis of the patients in the 2 groups were compared.In total, 535 patients were enrolled. There were 67 patients fell into the elderly group with a mean age of 69 years old; while 468 patients fell into the nonelderly group with a mean age of 39 years old. We found that the elderly patients had significantly lower incidence of antecedent infections (49.3% vs 66.2%, P < 0.01). The time from onset to admission (5 vs 4 days, P < 0.05) and time from onset to nadir (7 vs 6 days, P < 0.05) were significantly longer in the elderly patients. It was noteworthy that more elderly patients were found with lymphocytopenia (55.4% vs 37.3%, P < 0.01), hyponatremia (25.0% vs 10.2%, P < 0.01), hypoalbuminemia (9.0% vs 2.6%, P < 0.05), and hyperglycemia (34.3% vs 15.2%, P < 0.01). Importantly, the elderly patients had longer duration of hospitalization (17 vs 14 days, P < 0.05), higher incidence of pneumonia (29.9% vs 18.8%, P < 0.05), and poorer short-term prognosis (58.2% vs 42.7%, P < 0.05). In patients with severe GBS, no significant differences were observed in disease severity, treatment modality, incidence of pneumonia, and duration of hospitalization between the 2 groups. However, more patients in the elderly group showed poor short-term prognosis (84.1% vs 63.8%, P < 0.01). Further, old age (≥60 years) (OR = 2.906, 95% CI: 1.174-7.194, P < 0.05) and lower Medical Research Council (MRC) score at nadir (OR = 0.948, 95% CI: 0.927-0.969, P < 0.01) were risk factors for poor short-term prognosis in severe GBS patients.The clinical characteristics and short-term prognosis of elderly patients with GBS are distinct from nonelderly adults. Old age (≥60 years) and lower nadir MRC score serve as predictor for poor short-term prognosis in severe GBS patients.

The Emergence of Zika Virus as a Global Health Security Threat: A Review and a Consensus Statement of the INDUSEM Joint working Group (JWG)

The Zika virus (ZIKV), first discovered in 1947, has emerged as a global public health threat over the last decade, with the accelerated geographic spread of the virus noted during the last 5 years. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that millions of cases of ZIKV are likely to occur in the Americas during the next 12 months. These projections, in conjunction with suspected Zika-associated increase in newborn microcephaly cases, prompted WHO to declare public health emergency of international concern. ZIKV-associated illness is characterized by an incubation period of 3-12 days. Most patients remain asymptomatic (i.e., ~80%) after contracting the virus. When symptomatic, clinical presentation is usually mild and consists of a self-limiting febrile illness that lasts approximately 2-7 days. Among common clinical manifestations are fever, arthralgia, conjunctivitis, myalgia, headache, and maculopapular rash. Hospitalization and complication rates are low, with fatalities being extremely rare. Newborn microcephaly, the most devastating and insidious complication associated with the ZIKV, has been described in the offspring of women who became infected while pregnant. Much remains to be elucidated about the timing of ZIKV infection in the context of the temporal progression of pregnancy, the corresponding in utero fetal development stage(s), and the risk of microcephaly. Without further knowledge of the pathophysiology involved, the true risk of ZIKV to the unborn remains difficult to quantify and remediate. Accurate, portable, and inexpensive point-of-care testing is required to better identify cases and manage the current and future outbreaks of ZIKV, including optimization of preventive approaches and the identification of more effective risk reduction strategies. In addition, much more work needs to be done to produce an effective vaccine. Given the rapid geographic spread of ZIKV in recent years, a coordinated local, regional, and global effort is needed to generate sufficient resources and political traction to effectively halt and contain further expansion of the current outbreak.

Clinical features of patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome at seven hospitals on the East Coast of Australia

To document the clinical features of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in Australia, we performed a retrospective analysis of all patients admitted to several hospitals along the East Coast of Australia from 2000 to 2012. Using hospital records, we reviewed all patients with a diagnosis of GBS admitted to seven hospitals. From these, we report information of subjects who fulfilled standard diagnostic criteria. We excluded patients where inadequate information was available or who were under the age of 18. We report the features of 335 patients, in 228 of whom neurophysiological data were available. There were 168 cases of acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP), 17 of acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN), 4 of acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN), and 35 of Miller-Fisher syndrome (MFS). The median age at onset was 52.5 years (18-89 years) with a male : female ratio of 1.61 : 1. Upper respiratory tract infections were the most frequently identified trigger (151 subjects, 44.5%). Most patients were severely affected, with 42.7% of subjects bedbound, and an additional 24% requiring ventilatory support. GBS affects adults of all ages and usually follows a severe clinical course. In contrast to other autoimmune diseases, males are more frequently affected. A wide variety of triggering factors leads to a relatively stereotypical clinical syndrome. The most common variant of GBS in Australia is AIDP. This study shows that the clinical features of GBS in Australia are similar to that previously reported and confirms the male predominance, increased incidence with age, and frequent evidence of peripheral nerve demyelination as features of GBS.

The incidence and triggers of adult-onset Guillain-Barré syndrome in southwestern Finland 2004-2013

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

A Swiss study recently reported surgery as a potential risk factor for developing Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). It was sought to establish this in the Finnish adult population.

METHODS

Persons over 16 years of age who received a diagnosis of GBS in 2004-2013 were identified from the patient register of Turku University Hospital and their patient records were analyzed to identify possible triggers.

RESULTS

A cohort of 69 adult patients with GBS (63.8% men) was identified giving an annual incidence of 1.82/100,000. Of these, four (5.8%) had experienced a surgical procedure during the preceding 6 weeks with a relative risk of 6.28 (95% confidence interval 4.15-9.47, P < 0.001) compared with the general study population or a risk of 1.25/100,000 operations. No difference between genders was found. Only two (2.9%) patients had received a vaccination [one against seasonal influenza (P = 0.888) and one against pandemic influenza (Pandemrix(®), GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Rixensart, Belgium, relative risk 2.85, 95% confidence interval 1.27-6.38, P = 0.011)] during the preceding 6 weeks. The most common GBS triggers identified were respiratory tract infections in 30 cases (43.5%) and gastroenteritis in 16 cases (23.2%) whilst two patients (2.9%) had had both.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall incidence of GBS in the adult population of southwestern Finland was similar to previous studies worldwide and the most common triggers were respiratory tract infections and gastroenteritis. Surgery was a rare risk factor and of vaccinations only the one against pandemic influenza raised the risk of GBS.

Acute demyelinating polyneuropathy after lung transplantation: guillain-barré syndrome or tacrolimus toxicity?

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) has been described after solid organ and bone marrow transplantation mostly due to viral infections and possibly calcineurin inhibitors. Incidence after bone marrow transplant is 0.3–0.7%, though incidence in other transplants is not well known. We present the first description of tacrolimus associated GBS in lung transplant recipients in the English language literature. The pathophysiology of tacrolimus-induced polyneuropathy is not known, but some have hypothesized that tacrolimus induces an inflammatory phenomenon by differential effects on T cell subsets. Diagnosis of association may be challenging and requires high index of suspicion. The optimal treatment of GBS-associated with tacrolimus after lung transplantation is unknown, although drug discontinuation may result in improvement in some patients, while some reports suggest that the use of IVIG and/or plasmapheresis may be helpful and safe in organ transplant recipients with severe symptoms.

Zika virus infection complicated by Guillain-Barre syndrome--case report, French Polynesia, December 2013

Zika fever, considered as an emerging disease of arboviral origin, because of its expanding geographic area, is known as a benign infection usually presenting as an influenza-like illness with cutaneous rash. So far, Zika virus infection has never led to hospitalisation. We describe the first case of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) occurring immediately after a Zika virus infection, during the current Zika and type 1 and 3 dengue fever co-epidemics in French Polynesia.

Cumulative risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome among vaccinated and unvaccinated populations during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic

OBJECTIVES

We sought to assess risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) among influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent (pH1N1) vaccinated and unvaccinated populations at the end of the 2009 pandemic.

METHODS

We applied GBS surveillance data from a US population catchment area of 45 million from October 15, 2009, through May 31, 2010. GBS cases meeting Brighton Collaboration criteria were included. We calculated the incidence density ratio (IDR) among pH1N1 vaccinated and unvaccinated populations. We also estimated cumulative GBS risk using life table analysis. Additionally, we used vaccine coverage data and census population estimates to calculate denominators.

RESULTS

There were 392 GBS cases; 64 (16%) occurred after pH1N1vaccination. The vaccinated population had lower average risk (IDR = 0.83, 95% confidence interval = 0.63, 1.08) and lower cumulative risk (6.6 vs 9.2 cases per million persons, P = .012) of GBS.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that at the end of the influenza season cumulative GBS risk was less among the pH1N1vaccinated than the unvaccinated population, suggesting the benefit of vaccination as it relates to GBS. The observed potential protective effect on GBS attributed to vaccination warrants further study.

Four decades of leading-edge research in the reproductive and developmental sciences: the Infant Primate Research Laboratory at the University of Washington National Primate Research Center

The Infant Primate Research Laboratory (IPRL) was established in 1970 at the University of Washington as a visionary project of Dr. Gene (Jim) P. Sackett. Supported by a collaboration between the Washington National Primate Research Center and the Center on Human Development and Disability, the IPRL operates under the principle that learning more about the causes of abnormal development in macaque monkeys will provide important insights into the origins and treatment of childhood neurodevelopmental disabilities. Over the past 40 years, a broad range of research projects have been conducted at the IPRL. Some have described the expression of normative behaviors in nursery-reared macaques while others have focused on important biomedical themes in child health and development. This article details the unique scientific history of the IPRL and the contributions produced by research conducted in the laboratory. Past and present investigations have explored the topics of early rearing effects, low-birth-weight, prematurity, birth injury, epilepsy, prenatal neurotoxicant exposure, viral infection (pediatric HIV), diarrheal disease, vaccine safety, and assisted reproductive technologies. Data from these studies have helped advance our understanding of both risk and resiliency in primate development. New directions of research at the IPRL include the production of transgenic primate models using our embryonic stem cell-based technology to better understand and treat heritable forms of human intellectual disabilities such as fragile X.

Lack of association of Guillain-Barré syndrome with vaccinations

BACKGROUND

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute polyradiculoneuropathy, thought to be an autoimmune process. Although cases of GBS have been reported following a wide range of vaccines, a clear association has only been established with the 1976 H1N1 inactivated influenza vaccine.

METHODS

We identified hospitalized GBS cases from Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) from 1995 through 2006. The medical record of each suspected case was neurologist-reviewed according to the Brighton Collaboration GBS case definition; only confirmed cases were included in the analyses, and cases of Miller Fisher syndrome were excluded. Using a case-centered design, we compared the odds of vaccination in the 6 and 10 weeks prior to onset of GBS to the odds of vaccination during the same time intervals in all vaccinated individuals in the entire KPNC population.

RESULTS

We confirmed 415 incident cases of GBS (including Brighton levels 1, 2, and 3) during the study period (>30 million person-years). Incidence peaked during the winter months. The odds ratio of influenza vaccination within a 6-week interval prior to GBS, compared with the prior 9 months, was 1.1 (95% confidence interval [CI], .4-3.1). The risk in the 6-week interval compared to the prior 12 months for tetanus diphtheria combination, 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide, and for all vaccines combined was 1.4 (95% CI, .3-4.5), 0.7 (95% CI, .1-2.9), and 1.3 (95% CI, .8-2.3), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large retrospective study, we did not find evidence of an increased risk of GBS following vaccinations of any kind, including influenza vaccination.

Revisiting the old link between infection and autoimmune disease with commensals and T helper 17 cells

Genetic composition and major histocompatibility complex polymorphisms unequivocally predispose to autoimmune disease, but environmental factors also play a critical role in precipitating disease in susceptible individuals. Notorious among these has been microbial infection. Older studies describing associations between microbial infection and autoimmune disease are now followed by new studies demonstrating correlations between susceptibility to autoimmune disease and commensal colonization of the intestinal tract. T helper 17 (T(H)17) cells have gained a prominent role in autoimmune disease, and notably, their development within the intestine has been linked to colonization with specific commensal bacteria. Here, we consider current views on how microbes, T(H)17 cells, and autoimmunity are connected. We speculate on how the intricate relationships among commensal, pathogen, and the host might ultimately determine susceptibility to autoimmune disease.

In vivo analysis of kallikrein-related peptidase 6 (KLK6) function in oligodendrocyte development and the expression of myelin proteins

Oligodendrocytes are important for not only nerve conduction but also central nervous system (CNS) development and neuronal survival in a variety of conditions. Kallikrein-related peptidase 6 (KLK6) is expressed in oligodendrocytes in the CNS and its expression is changed in several physiological and pathological conditions, especially following spinal cord injury (SCI) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. In this study, we investigated the functions of KLK6 in oligodendrocyte lineage cell development and the production of myelin proteins using KLK6-deficient (KLK6(-/-)) mice. KLK6(-/-) mice were born without apparent defects and lived as long as wild-type (WT) mice. There was no significant difference in the numbers of oligodendrocyte precursor cells and mature oligodendrocytes in the adult naive spinal cord between WT and KLK6(-/-) mice. However, there were fewer mature oligodendrocytes in the KLK6(-/-) spinal cord than in the WT spinal cord at postnatal day 7 (P7). Expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and oligodendrocyte-specific protein/claudin-11, major myelin proteins, was also decreased in the KLK6(-/-) spinal cord compared with the WT spinal cord at P7-21. Moreover, after SCI, the amount of MBP in the damaged spinal cords of KLK6(-/-) mice was significantly less than that in the damaged spinal cords of WT mice. These results indicate that KLK6 plays a functional role in oligodendrocyte development and the expression of myelin proteins.

The patient presenting with acute dysentery--a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

The etiologies, clinical presentations and diagnosis of acute pathogen-specific dysentery in children and adults in industrialized and developing regions is described to help develop recommendations for therapy.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of literature published between January 2000 and June 2011 to determine the frequency of occurrence of pathogen-specific dysentery.

RESULTS

Shigella, Salmonella, and Campylobacter remain the most frequent bacterial causes of dysentery worldwide. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is potentially important in industrialized countries. Entamoeba histolytica must be considered in the developing world, particularly in rural or periurban areas. Clinicians should use epidemiological clues and knowledge of endemicity to suspect Vibrio spp., Aeromonas spp., Plesiomonas spp., Yersinia enterocolitica, Clostridium difficile, Cytomegalovirus or Schistosoma mansoni in cases presenting with dysentery. A single fecal sample studied for etiologic agents is the customary way to make an etiologic diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

While a majority of dysenteric cases will not have an identifiable agent causing the illness, when an etiologic organism is identified, other than STEC, each has a specific recommended form of therapy, which is provided in this review.