Guillain-Barre Syndrome Associated with Acute Hepatitis A Infection: A Case Report

Background and Aim: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is considered as an inflammatory postmanifestation of infectious, which acute ascending motor weakness, hyporeflexia or areflexia and sometimes sensory loss are hallmarks of this clinical syndrome. It is an acute polyradiculoneuropathy often provoked by an infectious agent. It is an acute polyradiculoneuropathy often provoked by an infectious agent, but its development following acute hepatitis A has rarely been reported.

Case Presentation: The authors report a 35 years old female of Guillain-Barre syndrome following acute hepatitis A in a young female, that developed symmetrically ascending motor weakness two weeks after the onset of initial symptoms of hepatitis infection. Our case presented with high-grade fever, vomiting and jaundice. The diagnosis of GBS was made according to clinical manifestations and albuminocytologic dissociation in cerebrospinal fluid. The patient was transferred in the ICU, NGT fixed, and plasmapheresis started. Patient’s neurological condition improved after 8 times plasmapheresis every 48 h after seven day in ICU. Treatment outcome was satisfactory and her facial palsy had almost completely improved.

Conclusion: Although GBS due to hepatitis A is very rar, this complication should be kept in mind and the best way to prevent Hepatitis A through vaccination and personal hygiene especially in close contact with an infected household member, beside good environmental sanitation.