Autor(es)Qureshi A I. Cook A. A.; Mishu H. P.; Krendel D. A.

ResumoBoth humoral and cell-mediated autoimmune mechanisms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Therefore, its occurrence in severely immunocompromised patients is not expected. We identified 3 severely immunocompromised patients who developed GBS. Two of the 3 patients had acquired immunodeficiency syndrome with CD4 counts of 5 and 4 cells/mm3, respectively. One post-cardiac transplant patient was taking azathioprine and cyclosporine at the time of onset of GBS. In all 3 patients, immunocompromise was induced by infectious or chemotherapeutic agents which preferentially suppress T-lymphocyte responses. All 3 had severe lymphocytopenia and incomplete recovery. We conclude that GBS can occur in patients with severe t-cell suppression. Although no conclusion regarding prognosis can be drawn from our small group of patients, their incomplete recovery is consistent with the idea that T-cells are important for recovery.

ImprentaMuscle & Nerve, v. 20, n. 8, p. 1002-1007, 1997

DescritoresGuillain-Barre Syndrome - Cell ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Pathogenesis ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Viral infections ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Immunology

Data de Publicação:1997