Role of infection in the Guillain-Barre syndrome

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Abstract
The epidemiology and virology of 52 cases of Guil-lain-Barre* Syndrome were investigated. Results failed to support the theory that this syndrome is a viral disease. The isolation of Cox-sackie B5 virus from two patients occurred at a time when the virus was prevalent among the general population. There was no evidence that contacts with patients with Guillain-Barre Syndrome develop the same conditions or any suggestion of a relationship existing between animal and human disease. Serological studies revealed no evidence of circulating antibodies to any one particular virus. Observations showed that the syndrome occurs mainly in the first half of the year but the significance of this is unknown. The association of antecedent infections is discussed. A significant correlation exists between respiratory infections occurring within one month of the Guillain-Barre Syndrome but, if the latent period is extended to three months, no such correlation exists. Glandular fever and infection by the psittacosis group of organisms, are apparently etlologically significant. Chickenpox is another known prodromal illness but the case findings in this study are doubtful. Prophylactic immunization is also of limited significance. It is possible that antecedent infections initiate immunological distur -bances. Activation of a latent virus may be another possible mechanism of action. Intercurrent sublinical virus infections had no adverse clinical effects on the neurological conditions.

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