3 more GBS cases in Pune, case count rises to 158

So far, five suspected deaths of GBS have been reported while of the 158 suspected patients, authorities have diagnosed 127 patients as confirmed GBS cases. State health authorities said 63 serum samples have been sent to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, for Antiganglioside antibodies testing.

The test is done to detect the presence of these antibodies in the serum that can help diagnose and monitor the progression of these neurological disorders. GBS is a rare neurological autoimmune disorder that produces antibodies which attack the body’s nerves. It is a sequela of either gastrointestinal or influenza-like illness, several experts have said.

While investigations are underway to ascertain the exact cause of the outbreak, several blood and stool samples have been sent for testing to ICMR-National Institute of Virology in Pune. The latest findings show that four samples were positive for campylobacter jejuni infection (which is often transmitted through contaminated food or water), 21 for norovirus, one for EBV while dengue, chikungunya, zika virus and SARS-CoV2 virus was ruled out across a majority of samples tested at the institute.

At private hospitals, doctors have said that samples of some of their patients sent for tests had detected the infection with campylobacter jejuni bacterium.

Meanwhile, according to state health department officials, a total of 31 patients are from Pune Municipal Corporation, 83 from newly added villages in PMC area, 18 from Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, 18 from Pune rural and eight are from other districts. While 38 have been discharged, 48 are in ICU and 21 are on ventilator.
Dr Pawar said five patients in the 21-33 age group diagnosed with Guillain Barre Syndrome were discharged from Sassoon General Hospital on February 1.

“A 29-year-old man from Bhimnagar, who had loose motions, developed weakness in both his upper and lower limbs. He was unable to walk when he was admitted to Sassoon General Hospital. After receiving five cycles of plasmapheresis, his condition has improved and he was discharged on February 1,” said Dr Pawar.

Other patients—a 22-year-old woman from Ahilyanagar , another 25-year-old woman from Sinhagad road, a 33-year-old man from Wadgaon Budruk and a 21-year-old man who had similar symptoms, recovered after early treatment and were discharged from Sassoon General Hospital. “We had 28-30 patients and hope to discharge more patients in the next two to three days,” added Dr Pawar appealing to citizens not to delay treatment if symtoms surface.