Guillain-Barre syndrome following scrub typhus: a case report and literature review

BMC Neurol. 2024 Apr 25;24(1):137. doi: 10.1186/s12883-024-03645-9.

Abstract

Background: Scrub typhus is an acute infectious disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi. Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune-mediated peripheral neuropathy with a frequent history of prodromal infections, but GBS associated with scrub typhus is very rare.

Case presentation: We report a 51-year-old male patient who developed dysarthria and peripheral facial paralysis following the cure of scfrub typhus. CSF examination and electrophysiological findings suggested a diagnosis of GBS. After treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, the patient's neurological condition improved rapidly.

Conclusions: Scrub typhus infection is likely to be a potential predisposing factor in GBS, while scrub typhus-associated GBS has a favorable prognosis.

Keywords: Anti-sulfatide antibodies; Case report; Guillain–Barré syndrome; Neuropathy; Scrub typhus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Scrub Typhus* / complications
  • Scrub Typhus* / diagnosis
  • Scrub Typhus* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous