Guillain-Barré syndrome

Abstract

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare immune-mediated polyradiculoneuropathy. Patients typically develop rapidly progressive weakness and sensory deficits that can result in complete paralysis requiring mechanical ventilation. GBS is usually a monophasic disease in which an aberrant immune response to an infection or other trigger damages the peripheral nerves. For example, in patients with preceding Campylobacter jejuni infection, molecular mimicry causes a cross-reactive antibody response to nerve gangliosides. Diagnosis is based on clinical features, supported by cerebrospinal fluid analysis and nerve conduction studies. Effective treatments include plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulins. However, ~20% of patients who received treatment are unable to walk after 6 months and ~5% die as a consequence of GBS. Important knowledge gaps in GBS include its pathogenesis, especially after viral infections. In addition, there is a lack of specific biomarkers to improve the diagnosis, monitor the disease activity, and predict the clinical course and outcome of GBS. Major challenges for the future include finding more effective and personalized treatments, which are affordable in low-income and middle-income countries, and preparation for outbreaks of infections as potential triggers for GBS.