A Case of Acute Hepatitis A Complicated by Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Korean J Hepatol > Volume 13(2); 2007 > Article

The Korean Journal of Hepatology 2007;13(2): 228-233.

A Case of Acute Hepatitis A Complicated by Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Yun-Jeong Bae, M.D., Kang Mo Kim, M.D., Kwang Kuk Kim, M.D.1, Jae Hyung Rho, M.D., Hyun Ki Lee, M.D., Yung Sang Lee, M.D., Dong Jin Suh, M.D.

Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Neurology1, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea

ABSTRACT

We report here a case of acute hepatitis A, which was complicated by Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). A 32-year old male admitted to our hospital with the symptoms of acute hepatitis and was diagnosed to have acute hepatitis A with positive IgM anti hepatitis A virus antibody. On 9th day after the onset of jaundice, acute progressive, ascending, symmetric motor paralysis were developed and eventually respiratory failure ensued. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed albumino-cytologic dissociation and nerve conduction velocity test suggested a polyradiculopathy. He was diagnosed to have GBS and treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and required a ventilatory support. After 90 hospital days, he recovered in ambulatory condition with the aid of crutches. The clinical course, prognosis and the outcome of neuropathic symptoms of GBS following acute hepatitis A were relatively poor in our case. (Korean J Hepatol 2007;13:228-233)

KeyWords: Hepatitis A; Guillain-Barré; syndrome; Immunoglobulins; Complication