Guillain-Barré syndrome and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection
Vinzio, S.; Andres, E.; Goichot, B.; Schlienger, J.L.
Annales de Medecine Interne 151(4): 309-310
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-410X PMID: 10922961 Document Number: 512682
Guillain-Barré syndrome subsequent to Mycoplasma pneumoniae is uncommon and difficult to confirm. We report one case. Clinical presentation and therapy were unremarkable. The interest of antibiotics (preventive or curative) is unresolved. The pathophysiology remains hypothetical but Mycoplasma pneumoniae and some surface gangliosides of peripheral nerves share homologous epitopes leading to the production of antibodies. Induced antibodies to ganglioside may cross-react with neural tissues.