Bay Biosciences provides high quality, clinical grade, cryogenically preserved sera (serum) and matched K3-EDTA plasma samples from Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) patients.
The sera (serum) and K3-EDTA plasma specimens are processed from Guillain-Barré Syndrome-(GBS) patient’s peripheral whole-blood using customized collection and processing protocols.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome-(GBS) Overview
Guillain-Barré syndrome is a neurological disorder and autoimmune disease that can develop after an infection. It affects the peripheral nervous system and can lead to tingling, weakness, and paralysis that may last for months or years.
It can cause muscle weakness, reflex loss, and numbness or tingling in parts of the body. GBS can lead to paralysis, which is usually temporary.
Most GBS patients recover, even those with severe cases. In fact, 85% of people with GBS make a full recovery within 6 to 12 months. Once you get better, the chance of it returning is very small.
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) often appears after a respiratory infection or gastroenteritis, better known as food poisoning. Symptoms start within a few days or weeks after the infection. In rare cases, GBS may follow a vaccination.
In the United States, around 1 in 100,000 people develop GBS each year. Experts do not know why this disease occurs in some people and not others. It is not inherited or contagious.
The exact cause of Guillain-Barre syndrome is unknown. But two-thirds of patients report symptoms of an infection in the six weeks preceding. These include a COVID-19, respiratory or a gastrointestinal infection or Zika virus.
There’s no known cure for Guillain-Barre syndrome, but several treatments can ease symptoms and reduce the duration of the illness.
Although most people recover completely from Guillain-Barre syndrome, some severe cases can be fatal. While recovery may take up to several years, most people are able to walk again six months after symptoms first started. Some people may have lasting effects from it, such as weakness, numbness or fatigue.
Types of Guillain-Barré Syndrome-(GBS)
Guillain-Barre syndrome has several forms. Following are the main types:
- Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP), is the most common form of GBS in North America and Europe. The most common sign of AIDP is muscle weakness that starts in the lower part of the body and spreads upward.
- Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS), in which paralysis starts in the eyes. MFS is also associated with unsteady gait. MFS is less common in the U.S. but more common in Asia.
- Acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) and acute motor-sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN) are less common in the U.S. But AMAN and AMSAN are more frequent in China, Japan and Mexico.
Some types begin more slowly and involve ongoing symptoms. In Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), periods of weakness recur over a number of years. In multifocal motor neuropathy, weakness affects several muscles in a specific area of one or both arms or legs.
Causes of Guillain-Barré Syndrome-(GBS)
The exact cause of Guillain-Barre syndrome isn’t known, but it often occurs after an infection. The disorder usually appears days or weeks after a respiratory or digestive tract infection.
In rare cases, some individuals have experienced it after a vaccination. It can affect anyone, but those aged over 50 years appear to have a higher risk.
Rarely, recent surgery or vaccination can trigger Guillain-Barre syndrome. There have been cases reported following infection with the Zika virus. Guillain-Barre syndrome may occur after infection with the COVID-19 virus. It’s also a rare reaction in those who receive the Johnson & Johnson or AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
In Guillain-Barre syndrome, the immune system, which usually attacks only invading organisms, begins attacking the nerves.
An autoimmune disease causes the immune system to attack and destroy certain groups of healthy cells. In the case of GBS, it attacks the myelin sheaths of peripheral nerves.
Myelin sheaths coat the axons of nerves. The myelin helps these long, thin extensions of nerve cells pass on messages. In some cases, GBS also attacks the axons themselves.
The damage prevents the nerves from sending certain information, such as touch sensations, to the spinal cord and brain. This causes a feeling of numbness. In addition, the brain and spinal cord can no longer transmit signals back to the body, leading to muscle weakness.
Anyone who develops unexplained tingling sensations and weakness should receive medical attention as soon as possible.
Individuals have developed GBS after infection with the following:
- Campylobacter jejuni bacteria, which can cause a bowel infection and diarrhea
- Epstein-Barr virus, which causes infectious mononucleosis, or glandular fever
- Cytomegalovirus, which may cause no symptoms
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria, which can infect the respiratory tract
- Possibly the Zika virus, through researchers are still investigating this
Signs and Symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome-(GBS)
Guillain-Barre syndrome often begins with tingling and weakness starting in your feet and legs and spreading to your upper body and arms. Some people notice the first symptoms in the arms or face. As Guillain-Barre syndrome progresses, muscle weakness can turn into paralysis.
Signs and symptoms of Guillain-Barre syndrome may include the following:
- A pins and needles sensation in the patients fingers, toes, ankles or wrists
- Difficulty breathing
- Double vision or inability to move the eyes
- Discomfort with bladder control or bowel function
- Low or high blood pressure
- Paralysis of the whole body
- Rapid heart rate (Tachycardia)
- Severe pain that may feel achy, shooting or cramplike and may be worse at night
- Trouble with facial movements, including speaking, chewing or swallowing
- Unsteady walking or inability to walk or climb stairs
- Weakness in the legs that spreads to the upper body
The symptoms can worsen over several hours, days, or weeks. In 9 out of 10 cases, the symptoms are worse in the third week. After 4 weeks, the weakness is unlikely to worsen.
As well as muscle weakness and tingling, nerve changes can lead to the following additional problems:
- Changes in heart rate or blood pressure
- Difficulty speaking, chewing, and swallowing
- Severe pain, especially at night
- Problems with coordination
- Trouble with digestion and controlling urine
- Vision problems, due to weakness in the eye muscles
Patients with these symptoms needs urgent medical attention. In some cases, individuals lose the use of their muscles, resulting in paralysis. And breathing problems and cardiovascular changes can be life threatening.
GBS can have emotional effects as well. Adjusting to rapid paralysis and the need for help can be distressing. After 4 weeks, when the symptoms have peaked, they remain stable for a time and the nerves gradually heal.
Diagnosis of Guillain-Barré Syndrome-(GBS)
Guillain-Barre syndrome can be difficult to diagnose in its earliest stages. Its signs and symptoms are similar to those of other neurological disorders and may vary from patient to patient.
A doctor is likely to start with a medical history and thorough physical examination.
Following diagnostic tests may be recommend:
- Spinal tap (lumbar puncture): A small amount of fluid is withdrawn from the spinal canal in your lower back. The fluid is tested for a type of change that commonly occurs in people who have Guillain-Barre syndrome.
- Electromyography: Thin-needle electrodes are inserted into the muscles your doctor wants to study. The electrodes measure nerve activity in the muscles.
- Nerve conduction studies: Electrodes are taped to the skin above your nerves. A small shock is passed through the nerve to measure the speed of nerve signals.
Treatment of Guillain-Barré Syndrome-(GBS)
Currently there is no cure for GBS, however treatment can help manage the symptoms. The following two types of treatments can speed recovery and reduce the severity of the illness:
- Plasma Exchange (Plasmapheresis): The liquid portion of part of your blood (plasma) is removed and separated from your blood cells. The blood cells are then put back into your body, which manufactures more plasma to make up for what was removed.Plasmapheresis may work by ridding plasma of certain antibodies that contribute to the immune system’s attack on the peripheral nerves.
- Immunoglobulin Therapy: Immunoglobulin containing healthy antibodies from blood donors is given through a vein (intravenously). High doses of immunoglobulin can block the damaging antibodies that may contribute to Guillain-Barre syndrome.
These treatments are equally effective. Mixing them or administering one after the other is no more effective than using either method alone.
You are also likely to be given medication to:
- Relieve pain, which can be severe
- Prevent blood clots, which can develop while you’re immobile
People with Guillain-Barre syndrome need physical help and therapy before and during recovery. Your care may include:
- Movement of your arms and legs by caregivers before recovery, to help keep your muscles flexible and strong
- Physical therapy during recovery to help you cope with fatigue and regain strength and proper movement
- Training with adaptive devices, such as a wheelchair or braces, to give you mobility and self-care skills
Recovery of GBS Patients
Although some patients can take months and even years to recover, most individuals with Guillain-Barre syndrome experience the following timeline:
- After the first signs and symptoms, the condition tends to progressively worsen for about two weeks
- Symptoms reach a plateau within four weeks
- Recovery begins, usually lasting 6 to 12 months, though for some people it could take as long as three years
Among adults recovering from Guillain-Barre syndrome:
- About 80% can walk independently six months after diagnosis
- Almost 60% fully recover motor strength one year after diagnosis
- Additionally 5% to 10% of the patients have very delayed and incomplete recovery
Children, who rarely develop Guillain-Barre syndrome, generally recover more completely than adults.
Coping and Recovery
A diagnosis of Guillain-Barre syndrome can be emotionally difficult. Although most patients eventually recover fully, the condition is generally painful and requires hospitalization and months of rehabilitation. You must adjust to limited mobility and fatigue.
To manage the stress of recovery from Guillain-Barre syndrome, consider these suggestions:
- Contact a support group, for yourself or for family members
- Discuss your feelings and concerns with a counselor
- Maintain a strong support system of friends and family
Risk Factors of Guillain-Barré Syndrome-(GBS)
Guillain-Barre syndrome can affect all age groups, but your risk increases as you age. It’s also slightly more common in males than females.
Guillain-Barre syndrome may be triggered by the following:
- COVID-19 virus
- Cytomegalovirus
- Epstein-Barr virus
- Hepatitis A, B, C and E
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- HIV, the virus that causes AIDS
- Influenza (Flu) virus
- Most commonly, infection with campylobacter, a type of bacteria often found in undercooked poultry
- Mycoplasma pneumonia
- Surgery
- Trauma
- Influenza vaccinations or childhood vaccinations
- COVID-19 Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca vaccine
- Zika virus
Complications of Guillain-Barré Syndrome-(GBS)
In Guillain-Barré syndrome, the immune system attacks the body’s nerves. Because nerves control the movements and body functions, patients with Guillain-Barre may experience the following:
- Breathing Difficulties: The weakness or paralysis can spread to the muscles that control your breathing, a potentially fatal complication. Up to 22% of patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome need temporary help from a machine to breathe within the first week when they’re hospitalized for treatment.
- Blood Clots: Individuals who are immobile due to Guillain-Barre syndrome are at risk of developing blood clots. Until you’re able to walk independently, taking blood thinners and wearing support stockings may be recommended.
- Bowel and Bladder Function Problems: Slow bowel function and urine retention may result from Guillain-Barre syndrome.
- Heart and Blood Pressure Problems: Blood pressure fluctuations and irregular heart rhythms (cardiac arrhythmias) are common side effects of Guillain-Barre syndrome.
- Pain: One-third of patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome experience severe nerve pain, which may be eased with medication.
- Pressure Sores: Being immobile also puts you at risk of developing bedsores (pressure sores). Frequent repositioning may help avoid this problem.
- Residual Numbness or Other Sensations: Most patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome recover completely or have only minor, residual weakness, numbness or tingling.
- Relapse: A small percentage of patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome have a relapse, experiencing muscle weakness even years after the symptoms ended.
Severe, early symptoms of Guillain-Barre syndrome significantly increase the risk of serious long-term complications. Rarely, death may occur from complications such as respiratory distress syndrome and heart attacks.
Outlook for patients with Guillain-Barré Syndrome-(GBS)
The recovery period for Guillain-Barré syndrome can be long, but most GBS patients recover.
In general, symptoms will get worse for 2 to 4 weeks before they stabilize. Recovery can then take anywhere from a few weeks to a few years, but most patients recover in 6 to 12 months.
About 80 percent of individuals affected by Guillain-Barré syndrome can walk independently at 6 months, and 60 percent recover their regular muscle strength in 1 year.
For some, recovery takes longer.
Around 30 percent of patients affected by Guillain-Barré syndrome still experience some weakness after 3 years. About 3 percent will experience a relapse of their symptoms, such as weakness and tingling, even years after the original event.
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