GBS is a rare disorder in which your body's immune system attacks your nerves. Weakness and tingling in your extremities are usually the first symptoms.
Even as scientists around the world study about the different effects of Covid-19 virus on patients, in a rare complication, its found that a new syndrome is effecting some coronavirus patients.
Some patients infected with Covid-19 have been found suffering from Guillain Barre (gee-YAH-buh-RAY) Syndrome also called GBS. In India, such cases have been reported since August.
GBS is a rare disorder in which your body's immune system attacks your nerves. Weakness and tingling in your extremities are usually the first symptoms.
A group of neurologists in Mumbai are now mapping these cases and their symptoms. So far, 24 cases have been added to the study where the patients developed paralysis due to GBS.
The study hopes to establish a correlation between Covid-19 and Guillain Barre Syndrome and is slated to be finished in three weeks.
The aim of the study is to develop an India-specific database regarding Covid-19 and GBS that will be sent for scientific publication.
What is Guillain Barre Syndrome?
It is a very rare autoimmune disorder. The immune system, in an attempt to kill the coronavirus, accidentally starts attacking the peripheral nervous system.
The peripheral nervous system is a network of nerves that lead from the brain and spinal cord to different parts of the body. Attacking them can affect limb functions.
The syndrome's first symptoms are a tingling or itching sensation in the skin, followed by muscle weakness, pain and numbness. The symptoms may emerge first in feet and hands.
A person then starts experiencing reflex loss and paralysis, which may be temporary, but can last for 6-12 months or longer.
GBS is caused by bacteria or viral infection. Previously patients of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, along with Zika, HIV, Herpes virus and Campylobacter jejuni patients showed GBS symptoms
Guillain Barre Syndrome and Covid-19
Covid-19 usually affect digestive, cardiac and kidney functions. However some patients are prone to neurological problems if they contract the virus.
The virus can cause memory fog, anxiety, headache and depression if it attacks parts of the brain which form the central nervous system.
In all these cases, the virus attacks the organs or tissues directly leading to the complication.
But in some cases, it can have an indirect effect. It can trigger an immune response so powerful that the body’s peripheral nervous system can come under attack.
Other cases around the World
The New England Journal of Medicine, in June published an article giving case details of five patients in three hospitals of Italy, who suffered from this syndrome after getting infected by Sars-CoV-2 virus.
Initial symptoms were weakness in lower limbs and a pricking sensation in the skin.
An interval of 5-10 days is noticed between onset of GBS symptoms and Covid-19 infection, but some doctors say it can also take weeks after Covid-19 infection for a person to develop GBS.
The British Medical Journal published a similar case from Japan last month, where a 54-year-old woman developed numbness and weakness and required two week hospitalisation. Tests showed she had pneumonia in chest, and her Covid-19 report came positive.
Various studies have some consensus: the GBS symptoms emerge a few days after Covid-19 infection. Several patients who have recovered or are about to recover have developed its symptoms, and most have recovered.
Study in India
Led by principle investigator Dr Megha Dhamne, neurologist in Dr LH Hiranandani hospital, Powai, a study is being conducted in Mumbai.
In this study, slated to be finished in three weeks, the doctors are collecting case studies of Covid-19 patients with GBS and mapping their symptoms.
Treatment
Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and sometimes plasma therapy helps recovery in patients with GBS. Some patients may develop severe complications and require intensive care treatment or ventilator support.
Studies have indicated that patients need a few weeks of hospitalisation. In extreme cases there can be respiratory failure or weakness and effect on walking and limb movement.
According to neurologists GBS can leave behind permanent neurological damage. Most will, however completely recover but some may have paralysis in limb and weakness in body for a longer period.
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 "Study on Covid-19 and Guillain Barre Syndrome: Cause and effects")
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