[Value of intravenous immunoglobulins. A case of Guillain-Barré syndrome]

Abstract

A case of severe Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) was treated with high dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), 400 mg.kg-1.days-1, over three consecutive days. The treatment was repeated once. We observed a time-related response between immunoglobulins administration and clinical improvement. The pathologic lesions of the GBS suggest that this syndrome has an immunologic basis: a humoral factor is probably not the only immunological mechanism and cellular mechanisms are also likely to be of importance. Specific mechanisms might also be present in GBS, such as anti-idiotypic suppression of autoantibodies, and elimination of circulating immune complexes. Treatment with IVIG might have several therapeutic advantages over plasmapheresis: IVIG is easily infused without any delay, is easily available and has been used widely without serious complications.