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[Neurologic involvement in campylobacter infections. 5 cases]
P Clavelou1, J Beytout, A Gourdiat
1Clinique Neurologique, Hôpital Fontmaure, Chamalières.
Revue Neurologique
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus can cause sepsis, and Campylobacter jejuni is linked to severe Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Neurological complications from these bacteria, though rare, warrant further investigation into their pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus is an emerging cause of sepsis, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
- Campylobacter jejuni is a common cause of enteritis and has been associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) since 1982.
Observation:
- Secondary neurological complications like meningitis and meningoencephalitis due to C. fetus subspecies fetus are rare, with only 10 previously reported cases and 2 new cases identified.
- Campylobacter jejuni is frequently identified in severe cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), with reported cases presenting with distal limb weakness and amyotrophy.
- Miller-Fisher syndrome cases associated with Campylobacter jejuni showed good prognosis, while other GBS cases exhibited significant axonal loss and poor functional outcomes.
Findings:
- The study reviews rare neurological sequelae of Campylobacter infections, including meningitis, meningoencephalitis, and GBS.
- Campylobacter jejuni appears to be a significant trigger for severe Guillain-Barré syndrome, with enteritis preceding neurological symptoms.
- Electrophysiological studies indicate axonal loss in GBS cases with poor prognosis.
Implications:
- Understanding the pathogenic mechanisms, including bacterial toxins and immune responses, is crucial for managing Campylobacter-associated neurological disorders.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the cross-reactivity between Campylobacter jejuni and human neural proteins in GBS pathogenesis.
- These findings highlight the importance of considering Campylobacter species in the differential diagnosis of infectious and neurological conditions.