SARS-CoV-2 emerged in Wuhan in late 2019 and has become a major healthcare challenge around the globe. Neurological complications of this disease are increasingly common. We present one of the first published cases of Guillan-Barré Syndrome (GBS) associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the United States.

Data regarding this case was recorded and reviewed through use of the Computerized Patient Record System from the Veteran’s Affairs Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction assays met federal guidelines for clinical use.

A 72 year-old male presented after a fall with one day of progressive distal limb weakness and numbness in the setting of a recent diarrheal illness. Exam demonstrated tetraparesis, distal sensation loss, and areflexia. Admission nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 PCR swab was positive. Cerebrospinal fluid studies revealed albuminocytological dissociation and SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing of fluid was negative. Neurophysiologic studies performed supported a diagnosis of acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy subtype of GBS. His course was complicated by respiratory failure, requiring intubation and eventual tracheostomy, dysautonomia, and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion. Patient received a course of intravenous immunoglobulin and with near complete resolution 90 days after symptom onset.

As a threat to global health, SARS-CoV-2 needs to be recognized as a possible trigger for GBS and patients should be screened and tested, as deemed appropriate by their care team. Ultimately, more epidemiological studies are needed to understand SARS-CoV-2 associated GBS and whether or not it varies from GBS caused by other infections.