SARS-CoV-2 associated Guillain-Barre syndrome

Presented herein is a severe case of SARS-CoV-2 associated Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), showing only slight improvement despite adequate therapy. To date, only few cases of GBS associated with this infection have been described. This case report summarizes the insights gain so far to GBS with this antecedent trigger. So far, attention has mostly focused on complications of the CNS involvement. Taking into account that GBS can cause a considerable impairment of the respiratory system, clinicians dealing with SARS-CoV-2 positive-tested patients should pay attention to symptoms of the peripheral nervous system. As far as we know from this reported case and the review of the current literature, there seems to be no association with antiganglioside antibodies or a positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR in CSF. An obvious frequent occurrence of a bilateral facial weakness or bilateral peripheral facial diplegia should be emphasized.

Automated summary

This case report presents a severe case of Guillain-Barre syndrome associated with SARS-CoV-2, with insights gained so far on this antecedent trigger. The focus has been on complications of the central nervous system, while clinicians should pay attention to symptoms of the peripheral nervous system in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients.