Guillain-Barre Syndrome is an acute inflammatory disease of the peripheral nerves that commonly presents with muscle weakness following infections like herpes virus or Campylobacter jejuni. It causes ascending muscle weakness and paralysis that begins in the lower extremities and can affect breathing. Treatment involves close respiratory monitoring and may require intubation, as well as plasmapheresis or IVIG.

1. Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Acute inflammatory demyelinating disease which primarily involves peripheral nerves,
resulting in endoneurial inflammatory infiltrates
Highest incidence in young adults
Associated with infections. Commonly present with muscle weakness preceded by
herpes virus or Campylobacter jejuni pathogen
Clinical manifestation
Ascending muscle weakness and paralysis
Begins in the lower part of extremities and ascends upwards
Autonomic dysfunction, hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, EKG changes
Most patients survive but severe cases can have respiratory failure with death
Hallmark
Albumino-cytologic dissociation of CSF
Increased CSF protein concentration with only modest increase in cell count.
Treatment
Close respiratory monitoring.
Because ascending paralysis may affect the diaphragm, these patients often require
intubation.
Plasmapheresis
IVIG