Guillain-Barre syndrome in 220 patients with COVID-19

• Published in: The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery Vol. 57; no. 1; p. 55
• Main Authors: Finsterer, Josef, Scorza, Fulvio A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Springer Nature B.V 04-05-2021; Springer Berlin Heidelberg; SpringerOpen
• Subjects: COVID-19; Guillain-Barre syndrome; Immunoglobulins; Nerve conduction; Review; SARS-CoV-2; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; COVID-19; Nerve conduction; Immunoglobulins; SARS-CoV-2; Guillain-Barre syndrome
• ISSN: 1110-1083; 1687-8329
• DOI: 10.1186/s41983-021-00310-7

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.