Decline in Guillain-Barré Syndrome Linked to Control of Campylobacteriosis

In New Zealand, campylobacteriosis incidence dropped by about 50% — and GBS incidence fell by 13% — after institution of measures to control poultry contamination.

Campylobacter infections can trigger Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) — studies in developed countries have shown antecedent Campylobacter infection in 20% to 50% of GBS patients. Investigators recently assessed the incidence of GBS in New Zealand, where a nationwide program to reduce contamination of poultry with Campylobacter spp. was instituted in 2006. Campylobacteriosis has been a reportable disease in that country since 1980 and has had a specific code for hospitalized patients since 1995.

Notifications for campylobacteriosis — and hospitalization records for patients with this infection or with GBS — were examined for 1988 to 2010. During this period, the average annual incidence of first hospitalization for GBS was 2.32 per 100,000 popu…

Reviewing Author

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine