CYTOMEGALOVIRUS-INFECTION AND GUILLAIN-BARRE-SYNDROME - THE CLINICAL,ELECTROPHYSIOLOGIC, AND PROGNOSTIC FEATURES

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is usually preceded by infections, in pa rticular cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Campylobacter jejuni infection. We studied the clinical and electrophysiologic features of 20 CMV-associa ted GBS patients and compared the findings with earlier established da ta of C. jejuni-related GBS patients (n = 43) and of GBS patients with out these infections (n = 71). The patients all participated in the Du tch GBS trial in which we compared the effect of intravenous immune gl obulins and plasma exchange. We demonstrate that CMV-related GBS patie nts have a different clinical pattern in comparison with the other two GBS groups. They are significantly younger, initially have a severe c ourse indicated by a high frequency of respiratory insufficiency, and often develop cranial nerve involvement and severe sensory loss. This is in contrast to C. jejuni infection, which is associated with motor GBS. Both infections are associated with delayed recovery compared wit h the GBS patients without these infections.