Guillain–Barre syndrome following scrub typhus: a case report and literature review

Abstract

Abstract Background Scrub typhus is an acute infectious disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi. Guillain–Barre syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune-mediated peripheral neuropathy with a frequent history of prodromal infections, but GBS associated with scrub typhus is very rare. Case presentation We report a 51-year-old male patient who developed dysarthria and peripheral facial paralysis following the cure of scfrub typhus. CSF examination and electrophysiological findings suggested a diagnosis of GBS. After treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, the patient’s neurological condition improved rapidly. Conclusions Scrub typhus infection is likely to be a potential predisposing factor in GBS, while scrub typhus-associated GBS has a favorable prognosis.

Keywords

• Guillain–Barré syndrome
• Anti-sulfatide antibodies
• Scrub typhus
• Case report
• Neuropathy