Comparison of the Clinical Outcomes of Guillain Barre Syndrome Based on Electrophysiological Subtypes in Pakistani Children

Advances in Exosome-Based Therapies for the Repair of Peripheral Nerve Injuries

Peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) are the term used to describe injuries that occur to the nerve fibers of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Such injuries may be caused by trauma, infection, or aberrant immunological response. Although the peripheral nervous system has a limited capacity for self-repair, in cases of severe damage, this process is either interrupted entirely or is only partially completed. The evaluation of variables that promote the repair of peripheral nerves has consistently been a focal point. Exosomes are a subtype of extracellular vesicles that originate from cellular sources and possess abundant proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, play a critical role in facilitating intercellular communication. Due to their modifiable composition, they possess exceptional capabilities as carriers for therapeutic compounds, including but not limited to mRNAs or microRNAs. Exosome-based therapies have gained significant attention in the treatment of several nervous system diseases due to their advantageous properties, such as low toxicity, high stability, and limited immune system activation. The objective of this review article is to provide an overview of exosome-based treatments that have been developed in recent years for a range of PNIs, including nerve trauma, diabetic neuropathy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), glaucoma, and Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). It was concluded that exosomes could provide favorable results in the improvement of peripheral PNIs by facilitating the transfer of regenerative factors. The development of bioengineered exosome therapy for PNIs should be given more attention to enhance the efficacy of exosome treatment for PNIs.

Clinical predictors and electrodiagnostic characteristics in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome with respiratory failure: a retrospective, matched case-control study

BACKGROUND

Respiratory failure is a common complication of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). This study aimed to determine the clinical predictors and electrodiagnostic (EDx) characteristics in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) with respiratory failure.

METHODS

The retrospective study included 29 confirmed GBS cases with respiratory failure and age- (±5 years) and sex-matched controls (1:1). The dependent t-test and McNemar-Bowker test were used to analyse the continuous and categorical data, respectively. In addition, a multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyse the predictive factors for respiratory failure.

RESULTS

Among both cases and controls, the majority were male (72.4%), and the average age was 50.9 years. The data showed that patients with respiratory failure had higher GBS disability scores, lower motor power (≤3) of the hip flexors and ankle dorsiflexors, and experienced facial and bulbar palsy. In the multivariate analysis, the significant predictive factors were bulbar palsy (AOR 10.4 [95% CI [2.6-41.4]) and motor power of hip flexors ≤ 3 (AOR 31.4 [95% CI [3.1-314.5]). Patients with respiratory failure had lower compound muscle action potential amplitude of the ulnar and tibial nerves. The median, ulnar, and tibial nerve conduction studies were more likely to reflect inexcitability. The GBS subtypes in GBS patients with and without respiratory failure were not significantly different.

CONCLUSIONS

Bulbar palsy and motor power of the hip flexors ≤ 3 were significant predictors for respiratory failure. The GBS subtypes in patients with and without respiratory failure were not significantly different.

Clinical profile and predictors for outcome in children presenting with Guillain-Barré syndrome

Introduction:

Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) is a group of diverse clinical conditions with Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) as one of the most common cause. The aim of this study was to study the clinical features and predictors for the requirement of ventilation in children with GBS.

Materials and Methods:

This is a prospective observational study done at a tertiary care hospital where all consecutive children less than 15 years who presented with AFP were enrolled. Demographic characteristics, symptomatology, and physical findings of those patients who were diagnosed with GBS were recorded using a pre-defined questionnaire. Univariate analysis was done to identify clinical variables associated with a higher requirement of ventilation.

Results:

Of a total of 53 children with AFP enrolled in the study, a total of 30 patients were diagnosed with GBS. A total of 12 (40%) patients required ventilation, while five of these patients eventually died. The following variants of GBS were identified: AIDP (13/30), AMAN (12/30), and ASMAN (2/30). Lower limbs were affected in 97% of the patients, whereas upper limbs were affected in 83% of the patients. Deep tendon reflexes of the upper limb and lower limb were preserved in 56% and 7% of the patients, respectively. Presence of antecedent URTI was associated with a lower requirement of ventilation. Presence of bulbar palsy, lower upper limb power on presentation, and absence of deep tendon reflex in upper limbs were associated with a higher requirement of ventilation.

Conclusion:

GBS is an important cause of AFP in India with no significant difference between the variants in terms of frequency and prognosis. Simple physical findings can be used by primary care physicians to predict the requirement of higher levels of care.