[Fwd:Guillain-Barre and Multiple Vaccines Examined]

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October 10, 2006

" 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. " - NewswiseGuillain-Barre Syndrome After Vaccination in

United

States

Newswise (press release)

Released: Mon 09-Oct-2006, 00:00 ET

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.

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