Guillain-Barre syndrome

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Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

Guillain-Barre syndrome can affect all age groups, but you're at greater risk if:

  • You're a young adult
  • You're an older adult

Guillain-Barre syndrome may be triggered by:

  • Most commonly, infection with campylobacter, a type of bacteria often found in undercooked food, especially poultry
  • Mycoplasma pneumonia
  • Surgery
  • Epstein-Barr virus
  • Influenza virus
  • Hodgkin's disease
  • Mononucleosis
  • HIV, the virus that causes AIDS
  • Rarely, rabies or influenza immunizations
Complications Causes
References
  1. Guillain-Barre syndrome. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/gbs/detail_gbs.htm?css=print. Accessed March 10, 2011.
  2. Ferri FF., et al. Guillain-Barre syndrome. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..C2009-0-38600-6--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&about=true&uniqId=230100505-53. Accessed March 18, 2011.
  3. Soysal A, et al. Clinico-electrophysiological findings and prognosis of Guillain-Barre syndrome — 10 years' experience. Acta neurologica Scandinavica. 2011;123:181.
  4. Sejvar JJ, et al. Guillain-Barre syndrome and Fisher syndrome: Case definitions and guidelines for collection, analysis, and presentation of immunization safety data. Vaccine. 2011;29:599.
  5. Vriesendorp FJ. Clinical features and diagnosis of Guillain-Barre syndrome in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 10, 2011.
  6. Vriesendorp FJ. Pathogenesis of Guillain-Barre syndrome in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 10, 2011.
  7. Vriesendorp FJ. Treatment and prognosis of Guillain-Barre syndrome in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 10, 2011.
  8. Mauermann ML (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 21, 2011.
DS00413 May 28, 2011

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