Guillain-Barré Syndrome often follows which preceding event?

Guillain-Barré Syndrome often follows which preceding event?

• A. A respiratory or gastrointestinal infection
• B. A bacterial skin infection
• C. A kidney stone
• D. A dental procedure

Answer: (A)

Guillain-Barré syndrome is a post-infectious autoimmune neuropathy. Most cases are preceded by a respiratory or gastrointestinal infection within a week or two before neurological symptoms develop. The immune response to that infection can cross-react with components of peripheral nerves through molecular mimicry, leading to demyelination or axonal injury and the rapid, ascending weakness seen in GBS. Other events listed—bacterial skin infection, kidney stone, or a dental procedure—are not commonly linked to triggering GBS. Thus, a recent respiratory or gastrointestinal infection best explains the preceding event.

Guillain-Barré syndrome is a post-infectious autoimmune neuropathy. Most cases are preceded by a respiratory or gastrointestinal infection within a week or two before neurological symptoms develop. The immune response to that infection can cross-react with components of peripheral nerves through molecular mimicry, leading to demyelination or axonal injury and the rapid, ascending weakness seen in GBS. Other events listed—bacterial skin infection, kidney stone, or a dental procedure—are not commonly linked to triggering GBS. Thus, a recent respiratory or gastrointestinal infection best explains the preceding event.