CLINICAL DESCRIPTION

An acute, usually rapidly progressive form of polyneuropathy characterized by muscular weakness and mild distal sensory loss that about half the time begins 5 days to 3 weeks after a banal infectious disorder, surgery or an immunization.
NOTE: GBS is sometimes linked to prior Campylobacter jejuni infection.

CASE CLASSIFICATION

1. CONFIRMED

   A clinically diagnosed case supported by:

   • Electrophysiologic studies showing nerve conduction slowing with features of demyelination and/or axonal damage, AND
   • CSF with elevated protein after 1 week of symptoms, and fewer than 50WBC/microliter, AND
   • Normal CBC and erythrocyte sedimentation Rate (ESR) in most patients.
   
   

2. PROBABLE

   A clinically diagnosed case not supported by electrophysiological studies.

3. POSSIBLE

   Not used.