All about Guillain-Barré syndrome: Incidence, causes of infection, inheritability.

Is GBS infectious?
GBS is a rare disorder that causes acute inflammation of the peripheral nerves. It affects only 1-2 per 100.000 persons. The syndrome is neither infectious nor inheritable.
It is generally said of GBS that all humans stand an equal chance of being attacked by GBS, irrespective of gender, age, race, season or geography. However, investigations have raised doubts about this.

GBS appears to occurs slightly more often in men than in women (approx. 1.3-1.5:1 male-to-female ratio), and that it is most common in young adults and the elderly of both sexes. GBS is very seldomly seen in infants.

Certain forms of GBS appear to occur more frequently in certain areas of China.
Reports from various areas of the world seem to indicate a slight increase in GBS cases during autumn and winter. This makes sense as GBS appears to be triggered by respiratory tract viral infections that are more prevalent during these seasons.

What causes GBS?
Guillain-Barre Syndrome is the most frequent acquired (as opposed to inherited) neuropathy. Nobody knows why or how GBS infects certain individuals and not others. It's cause is as yet unknown, but it is triggered by a viral or bacterial infection in most patients that somehow causes an autoimmune reaction, i.e. your own immune system attacks your body.
As it is generally seen after an infection, it is called a 'post infectious autoimmune disease'.

About 70% of GBS cases are associated with preceding infection. GBS occurs typically 2-3 weeks after a preceding lung or intestinal infection, usually caused by Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) or Cytomegalovirus (CMV). The preceding infection is even more likely to be C. jejuni, in Chinese and Japanese patients. Other agents have also been implicated, such as Epstein-Barre virus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The infection generally disappears before the symptoms og GBS are observed.

C. jejuni appears to trigger the axonal type of GBS (see 'Damage Inflicted'), which is linked to severe pure motor symptoms, axonal damage, lower CSF protein, need for ventilation and a less-optimistic prognosis. This type occurs more frequently in Japan, whereas the demyelinating type AIDP is more common in USA and western Europe.
GBS following CMV typically shows sensory nerve involvement and a more severe course.

GBS is also rarely associated with vaccinations, surgery, and childbirth.
It may occur upto 6 weeks after surgery. It may also occur after vaccinations. Mass vaccination programs in the USA and other countries have later been connected to a slight increase in the number of GBS incidents among the millions vaccinated. There is as yet no direct proof of any connection, and the issue of whether or not vaccinations are linked to an increased risk of getting GBS is under intense debate. Check 'Recovery' and 'Links' for further information.

To sum up: Millions of people are exposed to infections, operations, vaccinations and other factors that trigger GBS, but only a tiny percent of them develop the disease.

Whether or not the presumed 'trigger' is viral, vaccinal or unknown does not seem to make a difference in the onset, course or ultimate outcome of GBS.

GBS and pregnancy
Pregnant women do not have a higher risk of becoming infected with GBS. However, the effects of pregnancy and the birth process on the disease is still unknown.
A pregnant woman with GBS will usually run the normal course of the disease, although she may run a greater risk of premature birth or of being too weak to give birth normally. Scientists appear to agree that the foetus does not show any symptoms, even though the mother suffers from GBS during the pregnancy.

The issue is discussed further under 'Recovery'. See also 'Case Histories' for real-life reports from women who experienced GBS, CIDP etc. during their pregnancy.

Guillain-Barré syndrome-like neuropathies have been observed after heat stroke, but require careful diagnosis.

- Case histories
Patients, including pregnant women and children, report on their real-life encounters with Guillain-Barré syndrome and its variants. English and foreign-language case histories are available - do consider adding yours to the collection, to inspire and support other patients and their families!

© Copyright 2001-2007 S. Marcussen. All rights reserved.
Jsmarcussen.com/gbs takes no responsibility for any errors, omissions or misinterpretations. These pages should be used for information only and you are strongly advised to seek professional help particular to your circumstances. For more information, please visit the website http://www.jsmarcussen.com/gbs or e-mail jsmarcussen@mail.tele.dk