International Archives of Medicine


Open Access Case report

Guillain-Barré syndrome, tuberculosis and inflammatory bowel disease: a multiple association

Ricardo G de la Torre1*, Germán Morís2, Desireé P Martínez1 and Isabel C Montes1

Author Affiliations

1 Internal Medicine Service. Hospital San Agustín, Avilés, Asturias, Spain

2 Neurology Service. Hospital San Agustín, Avilés, Asturias, Spain

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International Archives of Medicine 2010, 3:15 doi:10.1186/1755-7682-3-15

Published: 16 July 2010

Abstract

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) has been associated with both infective or non-infective aetiologies. GBS is usually preceded by acute respiratory or gastrointestinal infection but its association with tuberculosis has been exceptionally reported. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with clinical manifestations involving the neurological system, peripheral neuropathy is known to be related to IBD and, either demyelinating or axonal involvement of peripheral nerves have been described. We report an unusual case of GBS associated with lymph node tuberculosis and ulcerative colitis.