Chronic hepatitis B exacerbated by Guillain-Barré syndrome: a report of two cases.
Several neurologic complications involving both the central and peripheral nervous systems due to acute viral hepatitis have been described, but Guillain-Barré (G-B) syndrome occurring as a complication of chronic viral hepatitis is extremely rare. Although it is generally agreed that G-B syndrome develops as an immune-mediated reaction, its exact pathogenesis remains obscure. We report the cases of two patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection acutely exacerbated by the development of G-B syndrome. G-B syndrome was diagnosed by nerve conduction velocity studies, electromyographic studies and a rise in acellular total protein in the cerebrospinal fluid (albumino-cytologic dissociation). In these two patients, we were able to accurately define the relationship between the onset of acute exacerbation of chronic HBV infection and G-B syndrome. The neurologic symptoms of G-B syndrome resolved with the return of liver enzymes to normal. Interferon therapy may be beneficial in relieving neurologic symptoms in patients with HB infection-related G-B syndrome.
Han
H F
HF
Department of Medicine, Cardinal Tien Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Wu
J C
JC
Huo
T I
TI
Kao
K P
KP
Huang
Y H
YH
Chang
F Y
FY
Lee
S D
SD
D000328:Adult; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011129:Polyradiculoneuropathy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy
D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D016898:Interferon-alpha