[A case of Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with cytomegalovirus infection]

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Isolation of Brain-infiltrating Leukocytes
06:44

Isolation of Brain-infiltrating Leukocytes

Published on: June 13, 2011

Y Kaneshige1, T Hirayama, H Matsumoto

  • 1Department of Neurology, Dohto Hospital.

Rinsho Shinkeigaku = Clinical Neurology
|June 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Early plasmapheresis and methylprednisolone therapy can lead to dramatic recovery in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with cytomegalovirus infection. This treatment may prevent further nerve damage.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system.
  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a potential trigger for GBS.
  • Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for managing GBS.

Observation:

  • A 23-year-old male presented with rapidly progressing muscular weakness and sensory disturbances.
  • The patient developed respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation.
  • Serial electrophysiological studies revealed conduction block and mild demyelination in peripheral nerves.

Findings:

  • Enzyme immunoassays confirmed CMV infection as the likely cause of GBS.
  • Combination therapy with plasmapheresis and methylprednisolone pulse therapy resulted in significant clinical improvement.
  • Early plasmapheresis appeared to prevent secondary axonal degeneration.

Implications:

  • Prompt treatment with plasmapheresis may mitigate long-term nerve damage in GBS.
  • Distal latency prolongation in the early phase is not a reliable prognostic indicator.
  • This case highlights the importance of identifying and treating underlying infections like CMV in GBS patients.

More Related Videos

qPCR Is a Sensitive and Rapid Method for Detection of Cytomegaloviral DNA in Formalin-fixed, Paraffin-embedded Biopsy Tissue08:08

qPCR Is a Sensitive and Rapid Method for Detection of Cytomegaloviral DNA in Formalin-fixed, Paraffin-embedded Biopsy Tissue

Published on: July 10, 2014

A Simple Approach to Induce Experimental Autoimmune Neuritis in C57BL/6 Mice for Functional and Neuropathological Assessments07:30

A Simple Approach to Induce Experimental Autoimmune Neuritis in C57BL/6 Mice for Functional and Neuropathological Assessments

Published on: November 9, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Poliomyelitis01:17

Poliomyelitis

Poliomyelitis is caused by poliovirus, a small, non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family and Enterovirus genus. Transmission occurs primarily via the fecal-oral route, often through ingestion of contaminated water or food. The virus initially replicates in the oropharynx and intestinal mucosa, particularly in lymphoid tissues such as the tonsils, Peyer’s patches, and regional lymph nodes. Primary viremia follows, allowing dissemination throughout the body.In most...
Arboviral Encephalitis01:25

Arboviral Encephalitis

Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...