Abstract
Both humoral and cell-mediated autoimmune mechanisms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). Therefore, its occurrence in severely immunocompromised patients is not expected. We identified 3 severely immunocompromised patients who developed GBS. Two of the 3 patients had acquired immunodeficiency syndrome with CD4 counts of 5 and 4 cells/mm3, respectively. One post-cardiac transplant patient was taking azathioprine and cyclosporine at the time of onset of GBS. In all 3 patients, immunocompromise was induced by infectious or chemotherapeutic agents which preferentially suppress T-lymphocyte responses. All 3 had severe lymphocytopenia and incomplete recovery. We conclude that GBS can occur in patients with severe t-cell suppression. Although no conclusion regarding prognosis can be drawn from our small group of patients, their incomplete recovery is consistent with the idea that T-cells are important for recovery.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1002-1007 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Muscle and Nerve |
Volume | 20 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1997 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
- Guillain-Barre
- Immunocompromise