Simultaneous development of Guillain-Barre syndrome and bacterial meningitis as complications of pneumonia caused by Staphylococcus aureus: a case report.

BACKGROUND

Guillain-Barre syndrome is an acquired inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathy that often follows gastrointestinal infection. A review of available literature revealed only few cases where Guillain-Barre syndrome developed after different types of meningitis. Furthermore, there are isolated cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome combined with meningeal irritation. This is the first reported case of Guillain-Barre syndrome and bacterial meningitis occurring simultaneously as complications of community-acquired pneumonia.

CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 77-year-old Ukrainian male patient who presented to the hospital with clinical symptoms of pneumonia. Over the next day, he developed clinical symptoms of acute symmetric ascending flaccid tetraparesis. A few days later, synkinesis-like movements appeared in the paralyzed lower limbs. Microbiological studies of the cerebrospinal fluid identified antibiotic-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. The patient received treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin and combination antibacterial therapy. The patient was discharged with improvement.

CONCLUSION

In this case, a potentially life-threatening condition, such as bacterial meningitis, was asymptomatic and clinically unrecognized. It is important to recognize atypical cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome to achieve early diagnosis and treatment.