[Oct 2006] Guillain-Barre Syndrome After Vaccination in United States

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/524115/

"Of the 54 cases studied, Guillain-Barre syndrome was observed in 57% of
the patients who had received an influenza vaccine, followed by 22 % of the
patients who had received a hepatitis vaccine either as a single vaccine or
in combination with other vaccines. In the same study group, 11% of the
patients with GBS had received the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
vaccine in combination with other vaccines, with the remaining study cases
having received haemophilis B conjugate vaccine, tetanus and diphtheria
toxoid, or typhoid vaccine. Up to 20 % of the patients developed GBS after
receiving more than one type of vaccine." - Newswise
 
 Guillain-Barre Syndrome After Vaccination in United States
 
 Newswise (press release)
Released: Mon 09-Oct-2006, 00:00 ET

http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=bahlazbab.0.rb8nazbab.oblmlwbab.8914&ts=S0208&p=http
%3A%2F%2Fwww.newswise.com%2Farticles%2Fview%2F524115%2F

Source: American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic
Medicine (AANEM) 
 
 Newswise - Although vaccines have reduced morbidity and mortality from
many infections, several cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) have been
reported following vaccination.

A team of medical researchers at the Zeenat Qureshi Stroke Research Center
set out to determine the occurrence and characteristics of GBS after
isolated reports of the syndrome were found in patients who had received
vaccinations. GBS is an inflammatory disorder in which the body's immune
system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. The first symptoms of
this disorder include varying degrees of weakness or tingling sensations in
the legs. In many instances the weakness and abnormal sensations spread to
the arms and upper body. These symptoms increase in intensity until certain
muscles cannot be used at all and, when severe, the patient is almost
totally paralyzed.

The research data was obtained from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting
System (VAERS) which is a cooperative program for vaccine safety of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA). The VAERS is a post-marketing safety surveillance
program, collecting information about possible side effects that occur
after administration of United States licensed vaccines.

There were 54 cases of GBS reported after vaccination in the United States
in 2004. The number of vaccine related cases constituted 0.1% of the total
admissions for GBS in the United States. Of the 54 cases studied,
Guillain-Barre syndrome was observed in 57% of the patients who had
received an influenza vaccine, followed by 22 % of the patients who had
received a hepatitis vaccine either as a single vaccine or in combination
with other vaccines. In the same study group, 11% of the patients with GBS
had received the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in combination
with other vaccines, with the remaining study cases having received
haemophilis B conjugate vaccine, tetanus and diphtheria toxoid, or typhoid
vaccine. Up to 20 % of the patients developed GBS after receiving more than
one type of vaccine.

According to Dr. Nizar Souayah, lead investigator and Assistant Professor
of Neurology, New Jersey Medical School, "The benefits of receiving
vaccinations far outnumber the risks. Few studies had been attempted to
address the relationship between vaccination and GBS and most had focused
only on the influenza vaccine. It is important to determine which vaccines
may be associated with GBS."

The results of the study suggest that vaccines other than influenza can be
associated with GBS.

The complete findings and results of the study are being presented at the
American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM)
53rd Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, at the Marriott Wardman Park,
October 11-14, 2006. The AANEM is the largest organization worldwide, with
over 5000 members, dedicated to advancing neuromuscular, musculoskeletal,
and electrodiagnostic medicine.