Guillain-barré syndrome during active brucellosis

It has been reported that approximately two thirds of patients diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) have had a prodromal illness within a four-week period preceding the onset of GBS. This prodromal illness is most commonly an upper respiratory tract illness or, secondly, gastroenteritis. However, specific infectious agents, such as mycoplasma, cytomegalovirus, Ebstein-Barr virus, vaccinia, variola, campylobacter, varicella-zoster, measles, mumps, hepatitis A and B viruses, rubella, influenza A and B viruses, coxackie and echoviruses, have also been reported to be certain or probable etiologic antecedent agents of GBS. In contrast, GBS during active brucellosis has rarely been reported. This article presents the case of a 28 year-old male patient with GBS during active brucellosis who responded fully to treatment directed to brucellosis. and it is stressed that brucellosis should be considered as a probable etiologic agent in patients with GBS who live in areas where brucellosis is endemic.