A Case of Guillain-Barré Syndrome With Multiple Causative Factors in a Young Male

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), an immune-mediated disease of the peripheral nervous system, is mainly characterized by rapidly progressive ascending weakness of the limbs with reduced or absent deep tendon reflexes. The exact cause of GBS is unknown, but it often occurs after a gastrointestinal or respiratory infection. The present study represents a case of GBS in which multiple antecedent antigenic stimuli may have contributed to the development of GBS. The patient, a 28-year-old immunocompetent man with no significant medical history, presented to the emergency department (ED) with acute ascending flaccid paralysis that persisted for a few days. His initial symptoms included tingling in his legs, which started at his shin and calf and developed into numbness, which extended to his upper limbs and arms. A CT scan of the lumbar and cervical spine indicated minor L4-L5 and L5-S1 disc herniation as well as slight bulging in C5-C6 and C7. The patient was discharged but returned to the ED for urgent treatment the next day after he weakened rapidly, losing the ability to walk or maintain balance. Based on his clinical presentation of ascending weakness and generalized hyporeflexia, he was diagnosed with GBS. Abnormal liver function and positive blood tests for anti-cytomegalovirus (anti-CMV) and anti-Epstein-Barr virus (anti-EBV) IgG and IgM antibodies diagnosed hepatitis, CMV, and EBV, respectively. The patient was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (IVIG; 27 g/day) and antiviral medicine (ganciclovir; 340 mg IV/day) for five days. His nonexistent deep tendon reflexes began to improve two to three days following treatment. He was able to ambulate longer distances with a walker, and his upper extremities regained full strength. This case highlights the importance of a multiple-treatment approach to the treatment of GBS, wherein multiple antigenic triggering factors may be involved.