title: Association between acute motor axonal neuropathy and septic shock due to Acinetobacter baumannii.
abstract: In this report, we describe a case of acute motoral axonal neuropathy (AMAN) following septic shock due to Acinetobacter baumannii. The aetiology of AMAN is still not fully clarified. An association with a potential infection by Campylobacter jejuni, resulting in stimulation of autoimmune response against gangliosides mediated by a phenomenon of molecular mimicry, is believed to play a major role. Since the lipopolysaccharide of A. baumannii has a structure that is similar to that of C. jejuni, we hypothesise that the infection by A. baumannii in our patient may have had a pathogenic role in the development of the neurological picture via a mechanism of molecular mimicry.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, S. Maria Annunziata Hospital, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Toscani
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, S. Maria Annunziata Hospital, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Diletta
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Guarducci
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matà
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, S. Maria Annunziata Hospital, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Furlan
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, S. Maria Annunziata Hospital, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Piercarlo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ballo
mesh_terms: D040981:Acinetobacter baumannii / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004630:Emergencies; D020275:Guillain-Barre Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004298:Dopamine