Guillain-Barre syndrome during COVID-19 pandemic: an overview of the reports

Neurol Sci. 2020 Nov;41(11):3149-3156. doi: 10.1007/s10072-020-04693-y. Epub 2020 Sep 2.

Abstract

Similar to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has neurological symptoms. COVID-19 patients have such clinical symptoms as headache, vomiting, nausea, dizziness, myalgia, anosmia, ageusia, and disorder of consciousness. These symptoms confirm that the nervous system is involved in the COVID-19 infection. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a heterogeneous disorder which often follows a viral infection. According to the assessment case reports from the beginning of the COVID-19 infection so far, it is possible that GBS is linked to the COVID-19 infection. It seems that paying attention to the neurological effects of COVID-19 is necessary.

Keywords: COVID-19; Guillain-Barré syndrome; MERS; SARS.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / complications*
  • Female
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / virology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / complications*