rifampin and Guillain-Barre-Syndrome

We report the case of a 14-year-old girl with Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with brucellosis due to Brucella melitensis. The diagnosis was established by the isolation of B. melitensis from her blood and by the determination of high levels of Brucella aglutinins in her sera and cerebrospinal fluid. A combination of rifampin, co-trimoxazole and physical therapy resulted in complete healing within 30 days. Antibrucellar treatment continued for 12 weeks. This case report suggests that brucellosis should be kept in mind in the aetiology of Guillain-Barré syndrome in the endemic areas for brucellosis, and bacteriological and serological tests for brucellosis should be performed.

Topics: Adolescent; Anti-Infective Agents; Antibiotics, Antitubercular; Brucella melitensis; Brucellosis; Drug Combinations; Female; Guillain-Barre Syndrome; Humans; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rifampin; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination