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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.
Guillain-Barré syndrome 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.
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