Abstract

A REVIEW ON GUILLAIN - BARRE SYNDROME (GBS)

Rajasekhar Reddy Polam* and Shakeela Shaik

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Abstract

Guillain Barre syndrome is an acute or subacute polyradiculopathy typically presenting with sensory symptoms and weakness that progresses over a time period of days or at most upto 4 weeks. GBS is first discovered in 1916 (Guillain G, 1916) and crossed its 100th anniversary. Guillain Barre syndrome is considered to be autoimmune disease and is belived to result from an aberrant immune response that attacks nerve tissue. GBS occurs throughout the world with an median annual incidence of 1.3 cases per population of 1,00,000 with males being more frequently affected than females. About 30% of patients require intubation and ventilation because of respiratory failure and many shows signs of autonomic dysfunction. GBS may be triggered by surgery, immunization or by preceding bacterial or viral infections. Camphylobacter Jejuni, Cytomegalovirus, Epstein- Barr virus and mycoplasma pneumonia are commonly identified antecedent pathogens. Clinical manifestations include symmetrical limb weakness, loss of tendon reflexes and variable autonomic dysfunction such as cardiac arrhythmias, blood pressure instability and urinary retention. The most common form of disease, acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, presents as progressive motor weakness, usually beginning in the legs and advancing proximally. Diagnosis is based on clinical features, cerebrospinal fluid testing and nerve conduction studies.Intravenous Immunoglobulins and plasma exchangers are proven effective btreatments and other include supportive care therapy. This review summarizes the epidemiology, ethiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment of GBS.

Keywords: Guillain Barre syndrome, autoimmune disease, respiratory failure, Camphylobacter jejuni, acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy.