Open AccessGuillain-Barré syndrome post Covid-19 vaccine: Two case reports
Author(s) -
S. Benlamkadam,
Yehia Zakaria,
Nissrine Louhab,
Najib Kissani
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
international journal for research and ethics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2665-7481
DOI - 10.51766/ijre.v5i1.137
Subject(s) - medicine , guillain barre syndrome , polyradiculoneuropathy , acute motor axonal neuropathy , cerebrospinal fluid , adverse effect , pediatrics , vaccination , anesthesia , immunology
Introduction: Guillain-Barré syndrome is an acute polyradiculoneuropathy which is immune-mediated. It is potentially life-threatening due to respiratory involvement and dysautonomia. It is commonly reported as an adverse event after Campylobacter jejuni infection and following vaccination.
Methods: We report two cases of GBS occurring following reception of the first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
Cases description: First case of a 70-year-old woman, presenting progressive, symmetric, ascending flaccid tetraparesis with bladder dysfunction which occurred three weeks after the first dose of AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. The cerebrospinal fluid showed an albuminocytologic dissociation; electrophysiological studies showed an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. The second case was a 68-year-old woman, presenting three weeks after the first dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, a progressively descending, symmetrical and synchronous tetraplegia, preceded 4 days before by diffuse headaches with involvement of multiple cranial pairs and bladder dysfunction. The cerebrospinal fluid showed an albuminocytologic dissociation, electrophysiological studies showed an acute inflammatory axonal and demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy.
Conclusion: Many cases of GBS after vaccines have been reported including one case following the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, yet the pathophysiological mechanisms are not completely elucidated.
Keywords: Guillain-Barré syndrome, Adverse event, Covid-19 vaccine.