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Review
. 2021;57(1):55.
doi: 10.1186/s41983-021-00310-7. Epub 2021 May 4.

Guillain-Barre syndrome in 220 patients with COVID-19

Josef Finsterer  1 , Fulvio A Scorza  2
Affiliations
Review

Guillain-Barre syndrome in 220 patients with COVID-19

Josef Finsterer et al. Egypt J Neurol Psychiatr Neurosurg. 2021.

Abstract

This review summarises and discusses recent findings concerning the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of SARS-CoV-2-associated Guillain-Barre syndrome (SC2-GBS). By the end of December 2020, at least 220 patients with SC2-GBS have been published in 95 papers. SC2-GBS is most likely secondary due to an immune reaction against SARS-CoV-2 since the virus has not been found in the CSF of any SC2-GBS patient so far reported. SC2-GBS occurs in each age group and does not differ from non-SC2-GBS regarding clinical presentation and treatment, but the outcome of SC2-GBS is worse compared to non-CS2-GBS patients, and the prevalence/incidence of GBS most likely increased since the outbreak of the pandemic. Early diagnosis of SC2-GBS is warranted to apply appropriate treatment in due time and to improve the overall outcome from the infection.

Keywords: COVID-19; Guillain-Barre syndrome; Immunoglobulins; Nerve conduction; SARS-CoV-2.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interestsThe authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow chart detailing the search protocol and the results after application of inclusion and exclusion criteria
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