Sequelae to Infection
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a
demyelinating disorder resulting in acute neuromuscular
paralysis, is a serious sequela of
Campylobacter infection (7). An estimated one
case of GBS occurs for every 1,000 cases of
campylobacteriosis (7). Up to 40% of patients
with the syndrome have evidence of recent
Campylobacter infection (7). Approximately 20%
of patients with GBS are left with some
disability, and approximately 5% die despite
advances in respiratory care. Campylobacteriosis
is also associated with Reiter syndrome, a reactive
arthropathy. In approximately 1% of patients
with campylobacteriosis, the sterile postinfection
process occurs 7 to 10 days after onset of diarrhea
(8). Multiple joints can be affected, particularly
the knee joint. Pain and incapacitation can last
for months or become chronic.
Both GBS and Reiter syndrome are thought
to be autoimmune responses stimulated by
infection. Many patients with Reiter syndrome
carry the HLA B27 antigenic marker (8). The
pathogenesis of GBS (9) and Reiter syndrome is
not completely understood.