Question

A 48- year old man is admitted into the respiratory ICU at the hospital where you are working. You look at his chart and see that he has been diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome. The patient is placed on a respirator. In addition, he is unable to move either of his legs. When you scroll over the patient's history , you notice that he is a poultry farmer.

1. What leads to Guillian-Barre? In other words, what might you look for in the patient's history?

2. Considering this patient's profession, what type of condition do you suspect as the precipitating event? What is the probable causative microorganism?

3. Is this original infection( From question 2) common or uncommon?

4. Is Guillain-Barre often fatal?

5. How should this patient be treated? (which antimicrobials or other specific treatments)

Answer 1

1)Gillian Barre syndrome is an autoimmune disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system leading to ascending paralysis. The exact cause is unknown .The patient might have a C jejunai exposure,as his occupational history shows he is a poultry farmer.The other thing to consider his whether he had any lung infection, infectious illness, stomach flu.,vaccination for GBS.

2)The probable causative agent is C jejuni.The condition of being exposed to the bacteria from the swine or poultry or by poultry consumption uncoocke should have precipitated in this condition.

3)The original infection is common among poultry workers.

4)GBS is fatal if not diagnosed at right time.Because it can lead to symptoms within hours to days or days to week.It affects the lower limb,followed by paralysis of upper limb and finally causing spasm of respiratory system leading to respiratory failure and death.