Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus causes immune-mediated disorders
such as acute rheumatic fever and acute glomerulonephritis. We describ
e a second patient with Fisher's syndrome (FS) from whom P-hemolytic s
treptococcus was isolated. We performed a study of the antecedent phar
yngeal symptoms in FS and Guillain-Barre syndrome. Sore throat was sta
tistically more frequent in FS (18/24 cases, 75%) than in Guillain-Bar
re syndrome (29/58 cases, 50%). In a series, however, the association
of FS with group A streptococcal infection was not shown. Some patient
s may develop FS after group A streptococcal infection, but the bacter
ium is not a major antecedent agent in FS. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B
N. All rights reserved.