Abstract

GUILLAIN-BARRÉ SYNDROME

Shethal Joju*, Alsa Ann George, Sofy Binu and Dr. Elessy Abraham

ABSTRACT

Guillain-Barré syndrome is the most common and most severe acute paralytic neuropathy, with about 100 000 people developing the disorder every year worldwide. Under the umbrella term of Guillain-Barré syndrome are several recognisable variants with distinct clinical and pathological features. The severe, generalised manifestation of Guillain-Barré syndrome with respiratory failure aff ects 20–30% of cases. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin or plasma exchange is the optimal management approach, alongside supportive care. Understanding of the infectious triggers and immunological and pathological mechanisms has advanced substantially in the past 10 years, and is guiding clinical trials investigating new treatments. Investigators of large, worldwide, collaborative studies of the spectrum of Guillain-Barré syndrome are accruing data for clinical and biological databases to inform the development of outcome predictors and disease biomarkers. Such studies are transforming the clinical and scientifi c landscape of acute autoimmune neuropathies. The clinician must also be familiar with mimics and variants to promptly and efficiently reach an accurate diagnosis. Intravenous immunoglobulin and plasma exchange are efficacious treatments. Supportive care during and following hospitalization is also crucial.

Keywords: Guillain-Barre´ syndrome, inflammatory neuropathy, demyelinating neuropathy, acquired demyelinating neuropathy, Miller Fisher syndrome, acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP), acute motor axonal neuropathy.