26 suspected Guillain-Barre syndrome cases reported in Pune, samples sent to ICMR-NIV

Pune: Pune Authorities have detected at least 26 suspected cases of Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS), an immunological nerve disorder. Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) health department has sent samples from the affected patients to ICMR-NIV for testing, officials said.

According to the PTI report, Civic officials have said that most of these cases were detected in the Sinhgad Road area of the city.

According to doctors, Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare condition that causes sudden numbness and muscle weakness, with symptoms like severe weakness in the limbs.

Dr Nina Borade, chief of the civic health department, said 22 suspected cases of GBS were reported at three to four hospitals in the city.

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"Reports of suspected Guillain-Barre syndrome cases have surfaced in the last two days. We have initiated a detailed probe and constituted an expert panel. We have also sent samples of these suspected cases to ICMR-NIV for further investigation," she said.

Dr Borade explained that bacterial and viral infections generally lead to GBS, as they weaken patients' immunity.

"It is prevalent in both pediatric and young age groups. However, GBS will not lead to an epidemic or pandemic," she said, adding that with treatment, most people recover fully from the condition.

"We have constituted a committee of experts, including scientists from NIV and epidemiologists. A detailed surveillance of the patients will be conducted. There is no need for panic as of now," she said, news agency PTI reported.

Most suspected patients are in the age group of 12 to 30 years, with only one case involving a 59-year-old patient who is currently undergoing treatment.

Dr Borade said, "GBS doesn't require separate treatment. Supportive care such as antibiotics, IV fluids, and treatments for paralysis are generally sufficient. The disease is self-limiting and recoverable. The PMC has the expertise and medical preparedness to manage these cases."

Dr Sameer Jog, a consultant intensivist, said his private hospital reported 17 suspected cases.

"This is essentially an immunological disease. After certain infections, whether bacterial or viral, the body's immune system is evoked. This evoked immunity acts against the nerves and muscles, affecting the lower limbs, upper limbs, and respiratory muscles. That is why it is called a nerve disorder," he explained.

He said patients develop weakness in the lower and upper limbs. Some also experience weakness in the respiratory muscles, requiring ventilator support.

"The causes include bacterial and viral infections that can trigger a host's immunity, leading to GBS. Common viruses linked to this include the influenza virus and rotavirus. Even dengue and chikungunya viruses are associated with triggering GBS," the doctor said.

Dr Jog emphasised that GBS can be caused by contaminated food and water, highlighting the importance of maintaining food and water hygiene.

Of the 17 cases reported at his hospital, eight patients are currently on ventilator support.

Speaking to TOI, a senior neurologist Dr Sudhir Kothari, of Poona Hospital, which has 5 of the 26 cases said, "I have never seen such a spike in GBS cases, not even during the Covid pandemic.''"Large hospitals typically report one or two GBS cases a month so 26 in a week is a high number. This cluster has to be investigated," Dr Kothari added.

What is Guillain-Barre syndrome?

Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare condition that causes sudden numbness and muscle weakness, often resulting in severe weakness in the limbs. It is typically triggered by bacterial and viral infections, which weaken the immune system and lead to nerve damage.

Also Read:People with COVID-19 infection more likely to develop Guillain-Barre syndrome within six weeks