08 Nov Recent Hepatitis E Infection Associated With Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Posted at 00:06h in Author Interviews, Hepatitis - Liver Disease, JAMA, Neurological Disorders by

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Philip Van Damme, MD, PhD Department of Neurology and Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology KU Leuven University of Leuven VIB, Vesalius Research Center, Leuven, Belgium

Philip Van Damme, MD, PhD
Department of Neurology and Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology
KU Leuven University of Leuven
VIB, Vesalius Research Center,
Leuven, Belgium

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?

Response: The hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been discovered more that 60 years ago. Its clinical manifestations are usually self-limiting and mild. More recently, several immune-mediated neurological complications of this virus have been described, such as the Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and neuralgic amyotrophy. In this study, we investigated the frequency of a preceding HEV infection in patients presenting with a GBS syndrome or one of its less common disease variants. At the same time, we tested for other known pathogens known to be associated with GBS.

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?

Response: The main finding of our study was that a recent HEV was frequently associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome, especially in patients with elevated liver enzymes. We also identified diagnostic challenges, as the assay for HEV showed cross-reactivity for other pathogens, such as CMV and EBV.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: That a preceding HEV infection is found in more than 5% of patients with GBS, that it is frequently associated with an infrequent variant of GBS, and that it is important to test for other pathogens at the same time as cross-reactivity with e.g. CMV and EBV can occur.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: The current methods for detecting HEV antibodies are not optimal and can give rise to false positive results. It is fascinating how a HEV infection can go almost unnoticed in some individuals and cause severe neurolical complications in others. Further research is needed to reveal which factors predispose to such a detrimental immune response and why some individuals develop GBS, a GBS variant or a neuralgic amyotrophy.

MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Response: Although it is interesting to know which infection could have triggered the Guillain-Barre syndrome in a given patient, there are currently no therapeutic implications.

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:

Stevens O, Claeys KG, Poesen K, Saegeman V, Van Damme P. Diagnostic Challenges and Clinical Characteristics of Hepatitis E Virus–Associated Guillain-Barré Syndrome. JAMA Neurol. Published online November 07, 2016. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2016.3541

Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.

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Last Updated on November 8, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD

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