Pune: Campylobacter infection, the trigger for Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), can damage the brain in rare cases. The detection of Bickerstaff’s encephalitis on Tuesday after a 60-year-old patient’s brain scan confirmed it, adding a worrying dimension to the ongoing GBS outbreak in Pune.
The man is currently undergoing treatment at Poona Hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU). The patient, completely paralysed at the time of admission, underwent diagnostic tests, including nerve conduction studies, which confirmed significant nerve involvement.
Dr Sudhir Kothari, the treating neurologist, revealed that the patient’s stool PCR test confirmed the presence of Campylobacter bacteria, a known trigger for GBS.
“What makes this case particularly noteworthy is the concurrent diagnosis of Bickerstaff’s brainstem encephalitis. In some cases, Campylobacter infection can cross-react with the brain, a phenomenon documented in medical literature but rarely seen. This case underscores the need for heightened vigilance among treating doctors,” Dr Kothari said.
The human body has a central nervous system (the brain and the spinal cord) and a peripheral nervous system (nerves throughout the rest of the body). GBS usually affects the peripheral nervous system.
The decision to perform a brain MRI of the 60-year-old patient on Tuesday evening was prompted by a series of unusual symptoms. He exhibited ophthalmoplegia (eye movement abnormalities), persistent drowsiness and urinary retention — all red flags pointing to potential brain involvement.
“The brain MRI confirmed inflammation in the brainstem, a hallmark of Bickerstaff’s encephalitis. These findings prompted us to initiate a combined treatment approach,” Dr Kothari said.
The patient is currently receiving high-dose steroid injections to reduce brain inflammation and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy to manage GBS. The combination treatment is essential to address both conditions simultaneously.
“We urge fellow clinicians to maintain a high index of suspicion for brain involvement in GBS patients, especially when atypical symptoms like drowsiness, ophthalmoplegia or urinary retention are present,” Dr Kothari said.
The patient’s condition remains critical but stable. Doctors are closely monitoring his response to the aggressive treatment regimen.
Pune: Campylobacter infection, the trigger for Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), can damage the brain in rare cases. The detection of Bickerstaff’s encephalitis on Tuesday after a 60-year-old patient’s brain scan confirmed it, adding a worrying dimension to the ongoing GBS outbreak in Pune.
The man is currently undergoing treatment at Poona Hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU). The patient, completely paralysed at the time of admission, underwent diagnostic tests, including nerve conduction studies, which confirmed significant nerve involvement.
Dr Sudhir Kothari, the treating neurologist, revealed that the patient’s stool PCR test confirmed the presence of Campylobacter bacteria, a known trigger for GBS.
“What makes this case particularly noteworthy is the concurrent diagnosis of Bickerstaff’s brainstem encephalitis. In some cases, Campylobacter infection can cross-react with the brain, a phenomenon documented in medical literature but rarely seen. This case underscores the need for heightened vigilance among treating doctors,” Dr Kothari said.
The human body has a central nervous system (the brain and the spinal cord) and a peripheral nervous system (nerves throughout the rest of the body). GBS usually affects the peripheral nervous system.
The decision to perform a brain MRI of the 60-year-old patient on Tuesday evening was prompted by a series of unusual symptoms. He exhibited ophthalmoplegia (eye movement abnormalities), persistent drowsiness and urinary retention — all red flags pointing to potential brain involvement.
“The brain MRI confirmed inflammation in the brainstem, a hallmark of Bickerstaff’s encephalitis. These findings prompted us to initiate a combined treatment approach,” Dr Kothari said.
The patient is currently receiving high-dose steroid injections to reduce brain inflammation and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy to manage GBS. The combination treatment is essential to address both conditions simultaneously.
“We urge fellow clinicians to maintain a high index of suspicion for brain involvement in GBS patients, especially when atypical symptoms like drowsiness, ophthalmoplegia or urinary retention are present,” Dr Kothari said.
The patient’s condition remains critical but stable. Doctors are closely monitoring his response to the aggressive treatment regimen.
