title: [Value of intravenous immunoglobulins. A case of Guillain-Barré syndrome].
abstract: A case of severe Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) was treated with high dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), 400 mg.kg-1.days-1, over three consecutive days. The treatment was repeated once. We observed a time-related response between immunoglobulins administration and clinical improvement. The pathologic lesions of the GBS suggest that this syndrome has an immunologic basis: a humoral factor is probably not the only immunological mechanism and cellular mechanisms are also likely to be of importance. Specific mechanisms might also be present in GBS, such as anti-idiotypic suppression of autoantibodies, and elimination of circulating immune complexes. Treatment with IVIG might have several therapeutic advantages over plasmapheresis: IVIG is easily infused without any delay, is easily available and has been used widely without serious complications.
authors.affiliation: Département d'Anesthésie Réanimation, Centre Hospitalier des Armées Jean Prince, Polynésie Française.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hidou
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Olivier
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Vivant
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010951:Plasma Exchange; D011129:Polyradiculoneuropathy / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
vernacular_title: Intérêt des immunoglobulines par voie veineuse. Un cas de syndrome de Guillain-Barré.