Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare nerve disorder, has affected 73 people in Pune and is considered a life-threatening condition, health experts said on Saturday.
GBS is often preceded by a bacterial or viral infection that damages the nerves. In people with GBS, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, leading to weakness and, in some cases, paralysis, or even death.
"The total number of GBS cases has increased to 73, comprising 47 men and 26 women. Of these, 14 are on ventilator support," a state health department official was quoted as saying to the media.
A 64-year-old female patient, undergoing treatment at Pimpri's Post Graduate Institute-Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital (YCMH), has reportedly succumbed to an acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) variant of GBS.
“Guillain-Barré Syndrome is an acute disease and occurs suddenly. Affected individuals may have had minor infections in the previous weeks. It typically follows gastrointestinal infections caused by Campylobacter, which leads to diarrhoea,” Dr. Manjari Tripathi, head of the neurology department at AIIMS said.
The expert noted that any minor viral infection can trigger the disease, which usually begins with loose diarrhoea.
“In GBS, nerve paralysis occurs, starting from the legs and later causing breathing issues. Patients may require ventilator support,” Dr. Tripathi added.
Meanwhile, the National Institute of Virology (NIV) reported finding the presence of norovirus and the bacteria Campylobacter jejuni in 21 GBS samples. Both Campylobacter jejuni and norovirus (a family of viruses) trigger similar symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea – all symptoms many of the Pune patients had before developing full-blown GBS.
"Norovirus can trigger GBS, a rare neurological disorder. The virus is responsible for nearly half of all acute non-bacterial gastroenteritis outbreaks," Dr. Anshu Rohtagi, Senior Neurologist at a city-based hospital, told IANS, citing recent research. The symptoms typically include gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea before the onset of GBS.
“GBS is a life-threatening condition in all age groups. There is no special predilection for mothers and children,” Dr. Rohtagi said.
There is no cure for the disease, but the symptoms, such as weakness and a tingling sensation or loss of sensation that usually start in both legs and then progress to the arms, can be managed.
The symptoms of GBS can last for weeks, and while most people make a full recovery, some patients are left with long-term effects.
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