Guillain-Barré syndrome after exposure to influenza virus

Summary Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute, acquired, monophasic autoimmune disorder of peripheral nerves that develops in susceptible individuals after infection and, in rare cases, after immunisation. Exposure to influenza via infection or vaccination has been associated with GBS. We review...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Lancet infectious diseases 2010-09, Vol.10 (9), p.643-651
Main Authors: Lehmann, Helmar C, MD, Hartung, Hans-Peter, Prof, Kieseier, Bernd C, Prof, Hughes, Richard AC, Prof
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Campylobacter Infections - complications
Genetic Variation
Guillain-Barre Syndrome - classification
Guillain-Barre Syndrome - epidemiology
Guillain-Barre Syndrome - genetics
Guillain-Barre Syndrome - physiopathology
Human viral diseases
Humans
Immunization
Infectious Disease
Infectious diseases
Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype - immunology
Influenza Vaccines - adverse effects
Influenza, Human - complications
Influenza, Human - immunology
Medical sciences
Multiple sclerosis and variants. Guillain barré syndrome and other inflammatory polyneuropathies. Leukoencephalitis
Neurology
Orthomyxoviridae
Respiratory Tract Infections - complications
Seasons
Vaccines
Viral diseases
Viral diseases of the respiratory system and ent viral diseases
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Summary:Summary Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute, acquired, monophasic autoimmune disorder of peripheral nerves that develops in susceptible individuals after infection and, in rare cases, after immunisation. Exposure to influenza via infection or vaccination has been associated with GBS. We review the relation between GBS and these routes of exposure. Epidemiological studies have shown that, except for the 1976 US national immunisation programme against swine-origin influenza A H1N1 subtype A/NJ/76, influenza vaccine has probably not caused GBS or, if it has, rates have been extremely low (less than one case per million vaccine recipients). By contrast, influenza-like illnesses seem to be relevant triggering events for GBS. The concerns about the risk of inducing GBS in mass immunisation programmes against H1N1 2009 do not, therefore, seem justified by the available epidemiological data. However, the experiences from the 1976 swine flu vaccination programme emphasise the importance for active and passive surveillance to monitor vaccine safety.
ISSN:1473-3099
1474-4457
DOI:10.1016/S1473-3099(10)70140-7