title: Campylobacter jejuni infection as a cause of the Guillain-Barré syndrome.
abstract: A previously unrecognized sequelum of infection with Campylobacter jejuni, a common cause of gastroenteritis, is Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). GBS is the most common cause of acute neuromuscular paralysis; 30% to 40% of cases are preceded by C. jejuni infection. Both patient and bacterial characteristics likely play a role in the pathogenesis of C. jejuni-induced GBS. Molecular mimicry between the LPS of some campylobacters and structures present on the gangliosides of the peripheral nerve may explain how this acute infectious diarrheal illness triggers GBS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Allos
mesh_terms: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D016123:Campylobacter jejuni; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D011129:Polyradiculoneuropathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial