Guillain-Barré syndrome following danazol and corticosteroid therapy for hereditary angioedema

Am J Med. 1985 Jul;79(1):111-4. doi: 10.1016/0002-9343(85)90553-4.

Abstract

A case of hereditary angioedema secondary to C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency associated with lupus-like nephritis is reported. The patient was initially treated with both corticosteroids and danazol and subsequently had Guillain-Barré syndrome together with appearance of circulating immune complexes and an increase in total complement and C1q, C3, C4, B, and C1 esterase inhibitor levels. Guillain-Barré syndrome might be secondary to danazol therapy since this drug could increase both circulating immune complex production and complement synthesis, thereby providing additional substrate for the underlying immune complex disease. Normalization of complement might therefore be hazardous in lupus with underlying complement deficiency states.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Angioedema / drug therapy*
  • Angioedema / etiology
  • Angioedema / genetics
  • Antigen-Antibody Complex / analysis
  • Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins / blood
  • Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins / deficiency
  • Danazol / adverse effects*
  • Danazol / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nephritis / drug therapy
  • Nephritis / immunology
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy / chemically induced*
  • Prednisone / adverse effects*
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Pregnadienes / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Antigen-Antibody Complex
  • Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins
  • Pregnadienes
  • Danazol
  • Prednisone