Which event most commonly precedes Guillain-Barré syndrome?

Which event most commonly precedes Guillain-Barré syndrome?

• A. Recent bacterial or viral exposure
• B. Recent vaccination
• C. Chronic liver disease
• D. Traumatic nerve injury

Answer: (A)

Guillain-Barré syndrome is an acute autoimmune attack on the peripheral nerves that most often follows an infectious event. The event that most commonly precedes it is a recent bacterial or viral exposure, especially a gastrointestinal infection such as Campylobacter jejuni. The immune system’s response to the infection can generate antibodies that cross-react with nerve components through molecular mimicry, triggering demyelination and the characteristic rapid, symmetrical weakness with areflexia. This sequence typically unfolds over about 1–3 weeks after the infection. Vaccination has been reported as a rare trigger, but it is far less common than infection. Chronic liver disease or traumatic nerve injury do not typically precede Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Guillain-Barré syndrome is an acute autoimmune attack on the peripheral nerves that most often follows an infectious event. The event that most commonly precedes it is a recent bacterial or viral exposure, especially a gastrointestinal infection such as Campylobacter jejuni. The immune system’s response to the infection can generate antibodies that cross-react with nerve components through molecular mimicry, triggering demyelination and the characteristic rapid, symmetrical weakness with areflexia. This sequence typically unfolds over about 1–3 weeks after the infection. Vaccination has been reported as a rare trigger, but it is far less common than infection. Chronic liver disease or traumatic nerve injury do not typically precede Guillain-Barré syndrome.