Guillain–Barré syndrome associated with Helicobacter pylori infection in a male adolescent: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is a potentially life-threatening acute immune-mediated demyelinating peripheral neuropathy. It could be triggered by many pathogens, including Campylobacter jejuni, cytomegalovirus, Epstein–Barr virus, Helicobacter pylori, and influenza. A 14-year-old boy presented with GBS caused by H. pylori. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed chronic gastritis and a shallow gastric ulcer. He had right lower limb weakness and sensory loss, which were relieved after intravenous immunoglobulin (Ig) treatment. He was also prescribed triple therapy with lansoprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin and achieved complete eradication of H. pylori. No recurrent neurological or gastrointestinal symptoms were observed. H. pylori secrete a protein called “vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA),” and the cerebrospinal fluid level of a specific IgG antibody against VacA was found to be increased in patients with GBS. GBS should be included in the differential diagnosis list in patients presenting with neurological signs with concurrent H. pylori infection.

Keywords

• adolescent
• guillain–barré syndrome
• helicobacter pylori