Which description best summarizes the cerebrospinal fluid findings in Guillain-Barré syndrome?

Which description best summarizes the cerebrospinal fluid findings in Guillain-Barré syndrome?

• A. Elevated white blood cell count with low protein
• B. Low protein with high glucose
• C. Normal white blood cell count with highly elevated protein and normal glucose
• D. Elevated white blood cell count with high protein and low glucose

Answer: (C)

Guillain-Barré syndrome shows albuminocytologic dissociation in the CSF: high protein with a normal white blood cell count. The elevated protein reflects leakage of serum proteins into the CSF from inflamed peripheral nervers due to demyelination, while the WBC count stays normal because there isn’t meningitis or encephalitis driving pleocytosis. Glucose remains normal since there’s no infection consuming glucose or disrupting glucose transport. Early in the illness protein can be normal, but it rises as the disease progresses. This pattern—normal leukocytes with markedly elevated protein and normal glucose—best fits Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Guillain-Barré syndrome shows albuminocytologic dissociation in the CSF: high protein with a normal white blood cell count. The elevated protein reflects leakage of serum proteins into the CSF from inflamed peripheral nervers due to demyelination, while the WBC count stays normal because there isn’t meningitis or encephalitis driving pleocytosis. Glucose remains normal since there’s no infection consuming glucose or disrupting glucose transport. Early in the illness protein can be normal, but it rises as the disease progresses. This pattern—normal leukocytes with markedly elevated protein and normal glucose—best fits Guillain-Barré syndrome.