Dubai Medical Journal (Mar 2021)

Guillain-Barre Syndrome following COVID-19 Infection: First Case Report from Kuwait and Review of the Literature

  • Walaa A. Kamel,
  • Ismail Ibrahim Ismail,
  • Jasem Yousef Al-Hashel

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1159/000513382

Abstract

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Objective: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute immune-mediated polyradiculoneuropathy that is often related to a previous infectious exposure. GBS emerged as a potentially serious complication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) since its declaration as a global pandemic. We report the first case from Kuwait, to the best of our knowledge. Clinical Presentation: A 72-year-old male presented with 3 weeks history of acute progressive and ascending lower limbs weakness. He developed these symptoms 3 weeks after testing positive to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Electrophysiological studies showed acute demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy and cerebrospinal fluid showed protein-cell dissociation. He was successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIGs). Conclusion: Neurologists should be aware of GBS as a potentially serious complication associated with CO­VID-19. Our patient had a favorable outcome with IVIG with no autonomic or respiratory affection.

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