Guillain-Barré syndrome and SARS-CoV-2

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Virology

Background:

• The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in early 2020 led to a global pandemic.
• While fever and respiratory issues are common COVID-19 symptoms, less typical gastrointestinal and neurological manifestations have been reported.
• Guillain-Barré syndrome is an autoimmune disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of Guillain-Barré syndrome in a patient with a presumptive SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• To contribute to the understanding of the spectrum of neurological complications associated with COVID-19.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 65-year-old male patient.
• Clinical presentation and presumptive diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection during a ski vacation in March 2020.
• Assessment of acute neurological symptoms consistent with Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Main Results:

• The patient presented with symptoms typical of Guillain-Barré syndrome.
• The presumptive SARS-CoV-2 infection occurred prior to the onset of neurological symptoms.
• This case suggests a potential link between SARS-CoV-2 and Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Conclusions:

• SARS-CoV-2 infection may be associated with rare neurological complications like Guillain-Barré syndrome.
• Further research is needed to establish a definitive causal relationship and understand the underlying mechanisms.
• Clinicians should consider COVID-19 in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with Guillain-Barré syndrome.