Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Relationship to Vaccination and Infection and Treatment for Guillain-Barré Syndrome

What is the relationship between vaccination and Guillain-Barré Syndrome?

The previous section elaborates on the causes for Guillain-Barré syndrome and how infections and vaccination can cause Guillain-Barré syndrome. However, one may ask if it is well established that vaccination can cause Guillain-Barré syndrome? Evidences suggest that Guillain-Barré syndrome is immunological in origin and nerve cell antigens are recognized by the immune system. It is therefore concluded that destruction of nerve cells by the immune system causes Guillain-Barré syndrome. As symptoms are developed some times during or after infections and some times following vaccinations, infections and rarely vaccinations are attributed to be the disease pathogenesis. One of the major findings was during the 1976 outbreak of swine Flu, when there was a national campaign to vaccinate people against swine flu. An increased risk to Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) was observed in the group that was vaccinated, compared to those who were not vaccinated. It is noteworthy that only 1 additional case of GBS occurred per 100,000 people vaccinated (reference: CDC). In one of the recent reviews of the available literature, it was observed that the causal relationship between vaccination and Guillain-Barré syndrome is not clear, when the most association found was following the vaccination for swine flu (influenza) in 1976-1977 (Haber et al, Drug Safety 2009; 32:309). They also suggested that older vaccine formulations such as rabies vaccine cultured in mammalian brain tissues have been found to have an increased risk, but not the newer ones developed using chicken embryo cells. The issue still remains unresolved. The CDC states that they "expect the 2009 H1N1 vaccine to have a similar safety profile as seasonal flu vaccines, which have very good safety track records. The seasonal flu vaccine has not been consistently associated with GBS."

What is the treatment for Guillain-Barré Syndrome?

According to CDC, an estimated 3,000 to 6,000 people develop Guillain Barre syndrome each year in the United States. The treatment for GBS varies depending on the symptoms. In severe cases hospitalization is required and continued monitoring of the patient may be very important. This is because the patient may have to be placed on respirator, heart monitor or other instruments to help maintain the organ and body functions. Plasmapheresis or intravenous immunoglobulin treatments may be used. Plasmapheresis is a technique by which the watery (liquid) portion of the blood, the plasma, is selectively removed from the blood and the rest of the blood, that constitutes mainly the blood cells, is administered back into the patient. This is carried out by taking the whole blood out, performing the separation of the plasma and administering back the rest of the blood components by the aid of a machine. Intravenous immunoglobulin or IVIG drug is purified human immunoglobulin. The mechanism by which IVIG function in GBS or other diseases is not clear.

More Pages: What is Guillain Barre Syndrome, its causes Guillain Barre Syndrome, 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.