Maharashtra records first suspected death due to Guillain-Barré Syndrome; cases in Pune cross 100

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune neurological disorder in which a person’s immune system attacks their peripheral nerves. Representational file image.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

A Pune-based patient has died after contracting Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), making it the first suspected death in Maharashtra due to the disease. He passed away in Maharashtra’s Solapur district, where he was visiting his native village for personal work. Meanwhile, the over 100 cases of GBS have now been recorded in Pune.

The deceased had symptoms of cold, cough, experienced breathing difficulties and was hospitalised for same on January 18 in a private hospital in Solapur. He was first placed in the ICU ward but later shifted to a regular room after showing improvement. However, his health started deteriorating with difficulty in breathing and he later passed away in the hospital’s ICU unit where he had been readmitted. The deceased also experienced paralysis in his limbs, prior to his demise.

“A 40-year-old patient died at a private hospital and was brought to us for post-mortem. According to the preliminary report the patient’s death appears to be due to Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS),” said Dr. Sanjeev Thakur, Dean of Government Medical College, Solapur.

“I checked his clinical history, he had suspected GBS. Despite being on treatment for five days, he has succumbed. Along with medical postmotem, we decided to do clinical PM. Clinical PM is done to understand the exact cause of death. We involved two biologist and pathologist also, team of four carried out the autopsy. The clinical report and autopsy report prima facia suggest cause of death is GBS,” he added.

“To further confirm this, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and blood samples have been sent for polymerase chain reaction. The exact reason we will come to know after microbiological and Histopathology reports are out. It will take 5 to 6 days for report to come.”

What is Guillain-Barré Syndrome?

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune neurological disorder in which a person’s immune system attacks their peripheral nerves, leading to muscle weakness that can progress to paralysis. It can develop over a few days or several weeks. People of any age can be affected, but it is more common in adults and males. The condition is rare, with an estimated incidence of 1/2 per 100,000 population.

While the causes of GBS are still not fully understood, in most cases, it occurs after a viral or bacterial infection.