# Guillain-Barré Syndrome Induced by Mycoplasma Pneumoniae: A Non-classical Presentation

## TL;DR

A 38-year-old man developed a rare form of Guillain-Barré syndrome after a Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, showing unusual symptoms and requiring ICU care.

## Contribution

This case highlights an atypical Guillain-Barré syndrome variant linked to Mycoplasma pneumoniae, expanding clinical understanding of post-infectious neuropathies.

## Key findings

- The patient exhibited upper and lower extremity weakness and respiratory failure following a M. pneumoniae infection.
- Immunoglobulin G antibodies to M. pneumoniae and abnormal electromyography results supported a post-infectious neuropathy diagnosis.
- Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin led to clinical improvement, confirming a Guillain-Barré syndrome variant.

## Abstract

This case report describes a 38-year-old Caucasian male patient with minimal past medical history who presented with worsening cough, shortness of breath, and a fever over a two-week time period. He then developed upper extremity weakness, lower extremity weakness, and respiratory failure. After he was stabilized in the intensive care unit, initial workup revealed positive immunoglobulin G antibodies to Mycoplasma pneumonia (M. pneumonia), and electromyography results indicated either acute motor axonal neuropathy or critical illness myopathy. Due to the patient’s clinical presentation and workup results, acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy was also included in the differential. After an extensive hospitalization, treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, and repeat testing, we conclude that this was an atypical presentation of a Guillain-Barré syndrome variant secondary to M. pneumoniae.