title: Guillain-Barré syndrome.
abstract: Guillain-Barré syndrome is the most common and most severe acute paralytic neuropathy, with about 100,000 people developing the disorder every year worldwide. Under the umbrella term of Guillain-Barré syndrome are several recognisable variants with distinct clinical and pathological features. The severe, generalised manifestation of Guillain-Barré syndrome with respiratory failure affects 20-30% of cases. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin or plasma exchange is the optimal management approach, alongside supportive care. Understanding of the infectious triggers and immunological and pathological mechanisms has advanced substantially in the past 10 years, and is guiding clinical trials investigating new treatments. Investigators of large, worldwide, collaborative studies of the spectrum of Guillain-Barré syndrome are accruing data for clinical and biological databases to inform the development of outcome predictors and disease biomarkers. Such studies are transforming the clinical and scientific landscape of acute autoimmune neuropathies.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK. Electronic address: Hugh.Willison@glasgow.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Hugh J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Willison
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands; Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Bart C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Pieter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: van Doorn
mesh_terms: D001369:Axons / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D016123:Campylobacter jejuni; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019468:Disease Management; D004594:Electrophysiology; D020275:Guillain-Barre Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000276:immunology*; D010243:Paralysis / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D010951:Plasma Exchange; D010956:Plasmapheresis; D011379:Prognosis; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007252:Influenza Vaccines