Humans ; Herpesvirus 3, Human ; Myelitis, Transverse/complications* ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome/complications* ; Herpes Zoster/complications* ; Varicella Zoster Virus Infection/complications*

Different autoantibodies can be detected in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It is reported that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection could induce autoimmune diseases (AID), including children's multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C), Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS), Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and thyroid autoimmune diseases. This article mainly reviews the similarities between COVID-19 and AID, the possibility of COVID-19 inducing AID, the risk of AID patients infected or vaccinated against COVID-19. The purpose is to provide strategies for the prevention, management and treatment of AID during the epidemic.
Child ; Humans ; COVID-19 ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome/therapy* ; Epidemics

A boy, aged 1 year and 7 months, was hospitalized due to weakness in both lower limbs and blepharoptosis, which showed progressive aggravation and developed into irregular breathing. Neurological examinations showed lethargy, blepharoptosis, grade 4 muscle strength of both upper limbs, grade 3 muscle strength of both lower limbs, and disappearance of tendon reflex. Laboratory tests revealed albuminocytological dissociation in cerebrospinal fluid, disappearance of H reflex, and positive serum anti-GD1b IgG. The boy was finally diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) overlapping with Miller-Fisher syndrome and Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis. He recovered and was discharged after treatment including immunoglobulin, plasma exchange, and respiratory support. The GBS overlap syndromes in children have strong clinical heterogeneity due to the injury of both peripheral nerve and brainstem, among which anti-GD1b antibody-related GBS overlap syndromes have special clinical manifestations and complex neuroelectrophysiological changes and are thus difficult to diagnose. Nerve conduction velocity tests, especially H reflex test, should be performed for children with weakness in both lower limbs and blepharoptosis.
Blepharoptosis ; Child ; Encephalitis ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Miller Fisher Syndrome

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has created a global health impact to millions of people. There have been studies of COVID-19 patients manifesting with neurologic symptoms. Although the number of adult COVID-19 infections diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is increasing, the occurrence of cases in pediatric population remains limited or perhaps underreported. We report a rare case of an asymptomatic COVID-19 infection manifesting as acute progressive ascending polyneuropathy and hyporeflexia in a 16-year-old teen. The diagnosis of COVID-19 infection was confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for SARS-CoV-2 of oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swab specimens. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine revealed abnormal enhancement of the cauda equina, including the dorsal and ventral roots. Electromyography and nerve conduction studies were compatible with an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy subtype of GBS. Although lumbar puncture was not done, the clinical findings and electrodiagnostic tests were both consistent with GBS. The patient had improvement of both motor and sensory functions after completing the treatment of intravenous immunoglobulins. Neurologic manifestations of systemic illness especially in children during this time of pandemic warrants scrutiny, as these may mask a potentially dangerous and infectious ongoing COVID infection.
COVID-19 ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome ; Polyneuropathies ; Pediatrics ; SARS-CoV-2

Background: Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an acute monophasic paralyzing illness that typically occurs after gastroenteritis and respiratory tract infection. Antecedent surgical procedures are less recognized trigger of GBS. Objectives: This paper aims to report a case of demyelinating variety of GBS that developed after appendectomy. Methods: This is a case of a 39-year-old Filipino male who was admitted due to acute appendicitis. He developed lower extremity weakness 4 days after appendectomy. His motor deficit initially presented distally from lower extremities, which advanced to the trunk, upper extremities, and muscles of speech and deglutition. Paresthesia of the fingers and toes and distal areflexia on both lower extremities were also elicited. Results: Diagnosis was done clinically. Nerve conduction study showed demyelinating variant, uncommon for a post traumatic GBS. Supportive care was rendered which resulted in complete recovery. Conclusion Surgery is a known but less identified cause of GBS. Although rare, we should consider GBS in patients presenting with ascending or progressive weakness after recent surgery because its early identification renders immediate and appropriate treatment.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome ; Appendectomy

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical features of children with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and the significance of Brighton criteria in childhood GBS. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical data of 72 children with GBS. Brighton criteria were used for the grading of diagnostic certainty (level 1 as the highest level, and level 4 as the lowest level). A Spearman's rank correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation of auxiliary examinations with the level of diagnostic certainty of Brighton criteria. RESULTS: A total of 72 children with GBS were enrolled, with a mean age of onset of (98±32) months. All children (100%, 72/72) had weakness of bilateral limbs and disappearance or reduction of tendon reflex, and limb weakness reached the highest level of severity within 4 weeks. Of all the 72 children, 68 (94%) had positive results of neural electrophysiological examination and 51 (71%) had positive results of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination, and the positive rate of neural electrophysiological examination was significantly higher than that of CSF examination ( CONCLUSIONS Most of the children with GBS meet Brighton criteria level 1, and the positive results of CSF examination and neural electrophysiological examination play an important role in improving the level of diagnostic certainty of Brighton criteria. Neural electrophysiological examination has a higher positive rate than CSF examination in the early stage of the disease.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; Extremities ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome/diagnosis* ; Humans ; Muscle Weakness ; Physical Examination ; Retrospective Studies

Guillain-Barre Syndrome ; Humans

A 40-year-old male patient was referred to our department with complains of recurrent oral ulcer for more than 20 years and vulvar ulcer for more than 10 years. He presented with a 3-month history of right external ophthalmoplegia. More than 10 days ago, the patient received ganglioside infusion. And one week ago, he developed numbness and pain of his lambs, and progressive myasthenia, accompanied by right blepharoptosis and dysuria. On exam, motor strength was graded 0/5 in the lower and the upper extremities. Deep tendon reflexes were diminished in extremities. His admission medical examination: hemoglobin (HGB), white cell and platelet counts were normal. C-reactive protein (CRP) was negative. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) 53 mm/h. Antinuclear antibody (ANA), anti-dsDNA antibody, anti-Smith antibody, anti-cardiolipin antibody and human leucocyte antigen B51 were all within normal range. The etiological tests of influenza A pathogen, influenza B pathogen, parainfluenza virus, enterovirus and parvovirus were all negative. He tested positive for serum anti-GM1 IgG. Cerebrospinal fluid had a normal white cell count, an elevated protein content. Gram staining, culture and PCR detection for varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus were all negative. Antibodies associated with autoimmune encephalitis and paraneoplastic syndrome were negative in cerebrospinal fluid. Electromyography and nerve conduction studies showed a severe axonal damage affecting motor nerves. No obvious abnormalities were observed in his magnetic resonance imaging of brain and cavernous sinus. The patient was diagnosed with Behcet syndrome complicated with acute Guillain-Barré syndrome. He received intravenous methylprednisolone, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy, plasma exchange and rituximab treatment. After treatment, the patient's muscle strength of limbs was restored to grade 1, blepharoptosis and pain disappeared. The nervous system involvement of Behcet syndrome is relatively rare, especially combined with Guillain-Barré syndrome, which is easy to cause misdiagnosis. The treatment of Behcet syndrome complicated with acute Guillain-Barré syndrome includes the treatment of primary disease, plasma exchange and IVIg therapy. In addition, supportive treatment is very important for such patients. The focus of treatment is to avoid respiratory insufficiency, prevent deep vein thrombosis, monitor cardiac function and hemodynamics. Pain-relieving, physical exercise and psychological support are often under-recognized. The rehabilitation treatment is very important to improve the prognosis and quality of life of patients. What we need to learn is that when the symptoms and signs of the nervous system are difficult to be explained by neuro-Behcet syndrome alone, we should be alert to the possibility of other nervous system diseases.
Adult ; Animals ; Behcet Syndrome/complications* ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; Male ; Methylprednisolone ; Quality of Life ; Sheep

Xiaoxuming Decoction is an ancient classic herbal formula for the treatment of stroke. In ancient times, the connotation of stroke was very extensive, including facial neuritis, acute cerebral infarction, acute cerebral hemorrhage, sequelae of cerebral hemorrhage, unexplained weakness of limbs, cervical spondylosis, acute myelitis, acute radiculitis, Guillain Barre syndrome, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, motor neuron disease, dermatomyositis, hypokalemic paralysis peripheral neuritis. It has been identified that: ①Xiaoxuming Decoction is very common in the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases, such as cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage and other cerebrovascular diseases, facial neuritis, acute myelitis, acute radiculitis, Guillain Barre syndrome, unexplained limb weakness, multiple sclerosis, motor neuron disease, myasthenia gravis, and rheumatic and immune system diseases, such as dermatomyositis, and can not only alleviate symptoms, but also improve prognosis and the long-term survival rate. ②Sudden limb failure, facial paralysis, and hypoalgesia without heat syndrome are the key indications of Xiaoxuming Decoction. ③This is a special prescription for the treatment of acute facial neuritis, and can cure in one week in the combination with moxibustion. ④In the treatment of facial neuritis complicated with hypertension or acute cerebrovascular disease, Xiaoxuming Decoction generally has a certain antihypertensive effect, without any hypertensive effect, which reflected its two-way regulatory effect for blood pressure. ⑤In the treatment of unknown limb weakness, acute myelitis, acute radiculitis, Guillain Barre syndrome, Xiaoxuming Decoction can rapidly alleviate the symptoms. ⑥This is the basic formula for multiple sclerosis and motor neuron disease. Long term use of Xiaoxuming Decoction can alleviate the symptom of limb weakness, reduce the occurrence of complications and delay the progress of the disease, but with a poor long-term prognosis. ⑦In the treatment of myasthenia gravis, Xiaoxuming Decoction can significantly improve muscle strength, and gradually help stop hormone reduction. After thymoma surgery, Xiaoxuming Decoction is also applicable to some patients with recurrent myasthenia gravis. ⑧Xiaoxuming Decoction also plays a role in the treatment of dermatomyositis and cervical spondylopathy. ⑨Raw ephedra is the monarch drug of Xiaoxuming Decoction, which is the key to the effect. The dosage starts with 6 g is titrated in a small dose and increases gradually. In addition, this formula is forbidden for those with red face, fast heart rate, high blood pressure, blocked stool, red tongue, yellow fur, wiry and rapid pulse or powerful pulse, and spout pulse.
Dermatomyositis ; Facial Nerve Diseases ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome ; Humans ; Motor Neuron Disease ; Multiple Sclerosis ; Myasthenia Gravis ; Myelitis ; Radiculopathy ; Spondylosis

OBJECTIVE: To study the association of motor nerve conduction block (CB) with different subtypes of childhood Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical and nerve electrophysiological data of 50 children with GBS. According to the results of nerve electrophysiology, the children were divided into an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) group with 29 children and an acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) group with 21 children. According to the presence or absence of motor nerve CB, the children with AMAN or AIDP were further divided into subgroups: group AMAN with or without motor nerve CB (n=10 and 11 respectively) and group AIDP with or without motor nerve CB group (n=19 and 10 respectively). The subgroups were compared in terms of age of onset, sex, Hughes Functional Grading Scale (HFGS) at nadir for the most severe involvement of motor function, and short-term prognosis based on HFGS score at 1 month after disease onset. RESULTS: Motor nerve CB was reversible in children with AMAN. AMAN children with motor nerve CB had a significantly lower HFGS score than those without motor nerve CB at 1 month after onset (P<0.05). AIDP children with motor nerve CB had a significantly higher HFGS score than those with motor nerve CB at 1 month after onset (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS AMAN with reversible motor nerve CB suggests mild nerve fiber lesion and has better recovery than AMAN and AIDP without motor nerve CB in short term.
Child ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome ; Humans ; Neural Conduction ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies