Common infection increases risk of Guillain-Barre syndrome

Intestinal infection (enteritis) caused by Campylobacter jejuni bacteria is very common. Reports have linked this type of infection with the development of Guillain-Barre syndrome, a neurological disorder. Researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine examined data from the General Practice Research Database in the UK. They analyzed 15,587 first consultations for Campylobacter enteritis and found 3 cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome. Although low, this rate is 77 times higher than that seen in the general population. The authors suggest that controlling Campylobacter infections will help reduce the number of people who develop Guillain-Barre syndrome. The research was published in the July 1, 2006, issue of Journal of Infectious Diseases.