aetiology
Last reviewed 02/2023
Guillain-Barre syndrome occurs sporadically at any age from early infancy.
It often follows viral infections:
- cytomegalovirus is most common
- infectious mononucleosis
- mumps
- measles
- echovirus
- coxsackie virus
- influenza virus infections
The viral illness has usually run its course by the time the neurological symptoms appear, and there is no evidence for viral invasion of the nervous system. About 2.5% of cases occur in patients with autoimmune disorders, including systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Other associations include:
- campylobacter jejuni
- mycoplasma pneumoniae
- salmonella
- immunisations with both live and dead vaccines
- trauma
- surgery
- rarely, malignancy
Reference:
salmonellosis excluding enteric fevers (S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi)