Guillain–Barré syndrome following Covishield vaccination in Telangana

Abstract

We observed a noteworthy case of Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) in Telangana, India. The onset of GBS symptoms was observed 4 days after the patient received the initial dose of the Covishield ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Corona recombinant virus vaccine. Our patient was a 54-year-old female with an unremarkable medical history. Her initial presentation included symmetrical weakness in the lower limbs, which subsequently progressed to involve the upper limbs, facial muscles and oropharyngeal area. Of particular note was the cranial nerve involvement, marked by facial paresis that advanced from House–Brackmann Grade III to Grade V within 2 days. The patient also reported severe dysaesthetic pain, and the condition exhibited a rapid progressive course, with the maximum deficit observed within just 7 days. Laboratory investigations, including magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbosacral spine, high-resolution computed tomography of the chest were normal. Administration of intravenous immunoglobulin had resulted in amelioration in muscle strength, paraesthesias and a complete remission of facial weakness. On re-evaluation at 2-months only mild residual weakness, hyporeflexia and an absence of sensation of sensory modalities were evident.

Keywords

• covishield vaccine
• guillain–barré syndrome
• symmetrical weakness