Guillain-Barré Syndrome Following Campylobacter jejuni Enteritis

Abstract

• We describe three cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) associated with Campylobacter jejuni enteritis and review the data from eight other cases described in detail in the literature. The recent recognition of this association is probably due to improved stool culture technique. In comparison with GBS associated with respiratory infections, the delay between the first symptoms of infection and the development of GBS is somewhat longer, an observation in accordance with GBS associated with gastrointestinal symptoms of unidentified etiology. The clinical picture and the outcome do not seem to differ from those of GBS associated with other disorders. Campylobacter jejuni appears to be a pathogen capable of triggering GBS and will probably become increasingly recognized if appropriate culture and serologic tests are performed. (Arch Intern Med 1988;148:739-741)