Guillain-Barre syndrome as a neurological complication of COVID-19 infection: a case series and review of the literature

Abstract

Background: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a global pandemic. Although the main clinical manifestations of the COVID-19 infection has confined to the respiratory system, there is some evidence suggesting the neuro-invasive potential of the COVID-19. There are limited reports of Guillain–Barre syndrome (GBS) as a peripheral nervous system complication of COVID-19 infection.Methods and results: We described four patients with COVID-19 infection who developed acute polyneuropathy with a final diagnosis of Guillain–Barre syndrome.Conclusion: COVID-19 may have the potential to invade the peripheral nervous system. GBS, as one of the critical neurological complications of COVID-19, could be considered as a post-infectious event.