What is Guillain-Barré and Causes of Guillain-Barré Syndrome

What is Guillain-Barré Syndrome?

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) obtained its name from the neurologists who first described this symptom, Georges Guillain, Jean-Alexandre Barre and Andre Strohl. Guillain-Barré syndrome is an acute flaccid paralysis syndrome. This is a rare disorder. Generalized muscle weakness is the main clinical feature of this disease. Usually symptoms begin in the lower limbs and move up, also called ascending paralysis. Therefore the initial symptoms may include weakness or tingling sensation in the legs, this sensation spreading up to the arms and the body. In severe cases paralysis may ensue and when the disease affects respiration and heart function, it can be life threatening. A diagnostic conclusion may be drawn only with the help of an expert medical practitioner. The progression of the symptoms may be rapid or slow. An interesting aspect of this disease is that most patients recover even from the severe form of the disease, though some may continue to experience a certain degree of weakness. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke "Guillain-Barré is called a syndrome rather than a disease because it is not clear that a specific disease-causing agent is involved."

How is it caused?

Guillain-Barré syndrome, is one such disease in which the body's own immune system attacks nervous system antigens. When our body's immune system attacks its own tissues, cells or molecules the condition is called autoimmunity. There are two major paths for the immune system to recognize a target molecule. One of them is through specialized proteins called antibodies. Antibodies bind to antigens to neutralize the function of the antigen or to destroy it. Antibodies may also bind to cellular antigens and kill the cells. The other route of immune recognition is through specialized cells called T lymphocytes. T lymphocytes are a subset of white blood cells, or lymphocytes. The T cells may have specificity to specific antigens on the cells leading to cellular destruction. The immune system is designed to protect against invasive pathogens, however this system sometimes misunderstand the body's own tissues resulting in autoimmune diseases. A combination of appropriate genetic and environmental factors have been suggested to play important roles in the initiation of an autoimmune disease. The environmental factors include viral and bacterial infections. One mechanism by which viral and bacterial infections may cause autoimmunity is by a process called molecular mimicry. When a bacteria or virus invade the body, the body develops an immune response specific to the invading pathogen. For example, it may make an antibody that can bind on to an antigen on the surface of the pathogen. Suppose this antigen is somewhat similar to another antigen on an important cell on the body itself! Then ideally the same antibody can recognize the body's own antigen and begin the process of destruction. A similar situation can be envisaged with the lymphocytes also (Raju and Hampe, International Reviews in Immunology, 2008;27:79). The result would be that the antibody that was developed to kill the pathogen would now recognize this self antigen and begin to destroy the cells that carry this antigen in the body. It is reported that gangliosides ( on the outer core of the bacterium Campylobacter jejuni may mimic human gangiosides (this is a an important liposaccharide), which means that an immune response to this bacterial antigen may elicit immune response to the ganglioside molecules on the nerve cells. It is reported that this is one of the possible scenarios, or at least a possible mechanism for in Guillain-Barré and Miller Fisher (discussed later) syndromes (Salloway et al. Infect. Immun.1996; 64: 2945; Prendergast and Moran, J. Endotoxin. Res.,2000; 6: 341–359). According to CDC (CDC website) infection with the bacterium Campylobacter jejuni is one of most common risk factors for Guillain-Barré. Molecular mimicry has been postulated in other autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (a central nervous system autoimmune disease), myasthenia gravis and autoimmune myocarditis. It may be noted, that infections causing autoimmunity remains an argument and credible evidences associating the two together are not proved beyond controversies. Well, if infections have a possibility to cause autoimmunity, it might be suggested that immunizations (vaccination) can also cause autoimmunity. According to CDC (CDC website, Sep 2009) people can develop Guillain-Barré after having the flu or other infections (such as cytomegalovirus and Epstein Barr virus). On very rare occasions, they may develop GBS in the days or weeks following receiving a vaccination. Guillain Barre is not a contagious disease.

More Pages: What is Guillain Barre, its causes Guillain Barre, Infection, Vaccination, Treatment Miller Fisher Syndrome Disclaimer: The above material is only for information purpose and some information may change with advancement of knowledge. Do not use this information to treat any medical condition. If you suspect a medical condition, consult a registered medical practitioner.