Fulminant Guillain–Barré syndrome secondary to Campylobacter coli infection: An autopsy case report

Abstract

The most common infection preceding Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is Campylobacter jejuni enteritis, although a few patients present with Campylobacter coli. We report a case of C. coli–induced fulminant GBS. A 61-year-old woman presented with bilateral limb weakness. Nerve conduction studies revealed a reduction of amplitude and C. coli was isolated from a fecal specimen, leading to the diagnosis of GBS. Although the patient was immediately administered immunoglobulin, her symptoms rapidly worsened and she died. Peripheral nerve autopsy revealed myelin ovoid, and infiltration of CD68-positive macrophages into nerves. More effective treatments for fulminant GBS need to be developed.

Keywords

• Acute motor sensory axonal neuropathy
• Autopsy
• Campylobacter coli
• Fulminant Guillain–Barré syndrome
• Immunotherapy