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Guillain-Barré syndrome following hepatitis E
Jean Philippe Loly1, Estelle Rikir, Maxime Seivert
1Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, CHU Sart Tilman, Université de Liège, Liège, Belgium.
World Journal of Gastroenterology
|April 3, 2009
Summary
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) can follow hepatitis E infection. Antiganglioside GM2 antibodies suggest molecular mimicry involving GM2 in GBS pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disorder often triggered by infections.
- Hepatitis E, a liver infection, has been rarely associated with GBS.
- The exact mechanism linking hepatitis E to GBS, particularly molecular mimicry, remains unclear.
Observation:
- This report details a case of GBS in a European patient following acute hepatitis E.
- The patient presented with antiganglioside GM2 antibodies.
Findings:
- The presence of antiganglioside GM2 antibodies suggests a molecular mimicry mechanism.
- This points to ganglioside GM2 as a potential target in GBS associated with hepatitis E.
Implications:
- Understanding the molecular mimicry in GBS associated with hepatitis E can aid in diagnosis and treatment.
- This case expands the known associations between viral hepatitis and GBS.
- Further research into shared epitopes between hepatitis E and ganglioside GM2 is warranted.
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