1) Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy that is a common cause of acute flaccid paralysis.
2) It is caused by an autoimmune attack against peripheral nerves following a viral or bacterial infection. Campylobacter jejuni is a frequent trigger that shares antigens with human nerves.
3) Clinical features include ascending limb weakness, diminished reflexes, and possible involvement of cranial nerves and respiratory muscles. Diagnosis involves CSF analysis showing elevated proteins with normal cell count and electrophysiology showing demyelination.