Guillain-Barre syndrome in organ and bone marrow transplant patients.
BACKGROUND
Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is believed to be caused by autoimmune mechanisms that are predominantly T-cell mediated. We report GBS in organ transplant patients and bone marrow transplant patients, both of whom have iatrogenically suppressed T-cell function.


METHODS
We reviewed the Duke University Medical Center database from 1989-1999 for all patients who met the criteria for GBS. There were a total of 212 patients. Of these patients, two had undergone organ transplantation and two had undergone autologous bone marrow transplantation.


RESULTS
Our report supports the notion that the humoral immune system is involved in the pathogenesis of GBS. Contrary to previous reports, however, functional recovery can occur without return of T-cell function.


CONCLUSIONS
This suggests that in organ transplant patients, GBS may be humorally mediated and, even more importantly, responds well to treatment.
Bulsara
K R
KR
Division of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, North Carolina 27705, USA.
Baron
P W
PW
Tuttle-Newhall
J E
JE
Clavien
P A
PA
Morgenlander
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000276:immunology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D019992:Databases as Topic; D005260:Female; D020275:Guillain-Barre Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014181:Transplantation Immunology