Guillain-Barré Syndrome following tissue rabies vaccination. A case report.

Abstract

Post-exposure prophylaxis against rabies vaccines can lead to acute neuro-paralytic complications such as Guillain-Barré syndrome. We report the case of a 13-year-old child, victim of a stray dog bite, who underwent tissue-based rabies vaccination. Thirteen days after vaccination, the child developed tetraplegia with respiratory distress, requiring tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Cerebral-medullary magnetic resonance imaging showed contrast in the roots of the cauda equina, suggesting polyradiculoneuritis. The child was treated with immunoglobulin and physiotherapy. Outcome was marked by complete recovery of muscle strength with no neurological sequelae. This case highlights the potential risk of neurological complications following tissue-based rabies vaccination, suggesting a preference for cellular vaccines, where post-vaccination neurological complications are very rare.