Guillain-Barre Syndrome Caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection in an Elderly Patient Initially Misdiagnosed As Frailty

Abstract

A 73-year-old man with a history of hypertension was referred to our department because of progressive frailty while being treated for acute heart failure. Physical examination revealed loss of tendon reflexes in the lower extremities and muscle weakness in all extremities. After close examination, he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), which was preceded by a Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. He was given high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy, and his muscle weakness improved. This case suggests that symptoms of neurological disorders in the elderly may be viewed as frailty. Being elderly is a poor prognostic factor for GBS; therefore, early diagnosis and consultation with a neurologist are necessary. Physical examination is essential to differentiate frailty from neurological disorders, and deep tendon reflexes are instrumental in making a diagnosis of GBS.

The first Helicobacter pylori‐induced Guillain–Barré syndrome in Sudan

“…1,13,14 Most of these diseases have similar symptoms, and their burden and spread in the country is rapidly growing due to climate change, conflicts, and increased size of population lives in humanitarian crisis. [15][16][17][18][19] Major GBS-associated infections that are prevalent in Sudan include COVID-19, 20 Hepatitis E, 14,21 Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), 22,23 malaria, 24 leishmaniasis, 25 Mycoplasma spp., 26 and several endemic arboviruses. 12 Arboviral diseases that are associated with GBS and endemic in Sudan include Chikungunya, CCHF, dengue, yellow fever, and RVF viruses.…”