Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy

Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) is a rare condition that causes the immune system to attack the nerves. There are treatments for this condition, so contact your doctor if you think you may have it.

AIDP is an autoimmune syndrome, but it is not clear what causes it. In this condition, the immune system begins to destroy the material that surrounds the nerves known as myelin, so the nerves can’t transmit signals efficiently. This causes muscles to lose their ability to respond to the brain’s messages.

One theory behind the cause is the presence of antibodies in the blood that may affect how the autoimmune system behaves. Antibodies are proteins that are made by the immune system to attack foreign substances that may threaten the body. But in the case of AIDP, there may be antibodies in the blood that might cause the attack of nerves.

Preceding infections with certain organisms may be involved in the cause of AIDP. These include infections with:

• Gastroinestinal infections with:
  • Campylobacter jejuni (one of the most common preceding infections)
  • Enteroviruses
• Cytomegalovirus
• Epstein-Barr virus
• HIV
• Haemophilus influenza
• Hepatitis A and B
• Mycoplasma pneumonia

These factors increase your chance of developing AIDP. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:

• Certain vaccinations (especially influenza and meningococcal )
• Age: 15-35 and 60-75 years old
• Lymphoma
• Recent gastrointestinal or respiratory viral infection
• Surgery

Some people have immune systems that put them at higher risk for developing AIDP after an infection.

If you experience any of these symptoms do not assume it is due to AIDP. These symptoms may be caused by other, less serious health conditions. If you experience any of these, see your doctor:

• Almost complete paralysis
• Abnormal control or absence of sweating
• Abnormal heart rate
• Faintness
• High or low blood pressure
• Problems breathing
• Rapidly progressive weakness or tingling in the legs that may spread to the arms and upper body over a period of two weeks
• Restricted muscle use
• Some types begin with weakness of the face, eye, and tongue muscles, as well as clumsy walking

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Tests may include the following:

• Electromyography and nerve conduction study—tests to determine how fast signals travel along the nerve
• Reflex tests
• Spinal tap —a procedure to remove a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid for testing

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Most patients require hospitalization to monitor and support them until recovery begins. Close monitoring of the heart rhythm is important. Nearly a third of patients will require respiratory assistance and mechanical ventilation .

• Immunoglobulin therapy —Your doctor may give you high doses of immunoglobulin proteins through intravenous (IV) injections to lessen the immune attack on your nervous system.
• Plasmapheresis —In plasmapheresis, or plasma exchange, whole blood is taken from your body. The plasma (clear, yellowish fluid portion of the blood) is removed along with the antibodies. The blood is the returned to the body, and the body replaces the plasma.

Since its cause is unclear, there is no known way to prevent AIDP.