Causes And Risk Factors For Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Surgery

An individual affected by an existing autoimmune disorder or cancer who undergoes surgery may develop Guillain-Barre syndrome as a complication of their health issues. Individuals who develop Guillain-Barre syndrome following a surgical procedure typically present with indicative symptoms within eight weeks after their surgery. The main types of surgeries known to trigger Guillain-Barre syndrome include gastrointestinal, orthopedic, and cardiac surgical procedures. Most of the surgeries that trigger Guillain-Barre syndrome included the use of general anesthesia. The exact mechanism of how surgery in patients who have existing cancer or autoimmune disorders causes them to develop Guillain-Barre syndrome is not currently known. Some researchers hypothesize the association between surgery, cancer, autoimmune disorders, and Guillain-Barre syndrome is the result of the upregulation of an individual's immune system that occurs during surgery and the healing period following it. Certain antigens released in an individual's body when they undergo surgery can cause the immune system to launch an inappropriate attack on the cells of the nervous system.

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Hepatitis

An individual is at a higher risk of developing Guillain-Barre syndrome if they become affected by the viral form of hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis E, or autoimmune hepatitis. The exact mechanism of how hepatitis infections cause Guillain-Barre syndrome is not currently known, but it is thought to be associated with elevated levels of certain liver enzymes. Elevations in both alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase are found in the serum of an individual affected by hepatitis-precipitated Guillain-Barre syndrome, as elevations in these values indicate increased inflammation and destruction of liver tissues. Some researchers hypothesize certain antibodies that include GM1, GM2, and GQ1b antibodies take part in the pathogenesis of hepatitis-precipitated Guillain-Barre syndrome in some patients. Due to the association found between the development of Guillain-Barre syndrome and hepatitis infections, it is recommended that any individual affected by hepatic serologic abnormalities and neurological symptoms be evaluated for Guillain-Barre syndrome.

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