Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) 

News:  Two deaths were reported in Manasa town in Madhya Pradesh due to a Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) outbreak.

About Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) 

• Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare neurological disorder in which a person’s immune system mistakenly attacks part of their peripheral nervous system. 
  • The peripheral nervous system is the network of nerves that carries signals from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.
• Causes: The exact cause of GBS is unknown. It is considered an autoimmune condition.
  • GBS often develops after a respiratory or gastrointestinal infection.
  • Common triggers include infections such as Campylobacter jejuni, influenza, COVID-19, Zika, cytomegalovirus, or Epstein-Barr virus.
  • It can affect people of any age but is more common in adults over 50.
• Types of GBS: 
  • Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP): It is most common type of GBS. In this, immune system damages the myelin sheath.
  • Acute Motor Axonal Neuropathy (AMAN) and Acute Motor-Sensory Axonal Neuropathy (AMSAN): In this, immune system may damage the axons themselves. 
  • Miller Fisher Syndrome: It affects cranial nerves, causing eye muscle weakness, balance problems, and loss of reflexes.
• Symptoms
  • Early signs include weakness or tingling sensations, typically starting in the legs and spreading to the arms and face.
  • In some cases, symptoms progress to paralysis of the legs, arms, or facial muscles.
  • Severe cases may involve problems with speaking and swallowing.
• Treatment
  • There is no cure, but treatment can reduce severity and shorten recovery time.
  • Plasma exchange (plasmapheresis) which removes harmful antibodies from the blood and Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) which reduces immune attack on nerves.