Bacteria, which are commonly found in undercooked chicken , can lead to Guillain-Barré syndrome. This autoimmune disease is a leading cause of acute neuromuscular paralysis in humans worldwide.
The study shows that when the chicken is not cooked well enough, the bacterium Campylobacter jejuni can cause the condition to develop. The study was conducted by American researchers from Michigan State University.
Experts explain that the development of the syndrome requires the presence of a certain strain of the bacterium , as well as the relevant genetic factors.
It has also been found that most strains of the bacterium are resistant to antibiotic use . The use of some antibiotics worsens the neurological symptoms, lesions and the number of antibodies in the immune system , which can mistakenly attack the tissues and organs of the affected person.
The exact cause of the onset of autoimmune disease is not yet clear, although some studies have linked Guillain-Barré syndrome to Zika virus . For the bacteria Campylobacter jejuni is known that it can cause the development of other autoimmune diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease , and Reiter's syndrome.
In the study, researchers successfully produced three preclinical models of Guillain-Barré syndrome , which represent two different forms of the syndrome in humans. Many of those affected are in critical condition and are unable to take part in the study.
Experts explain that the models provide a unique opportunity to understand how genetic characteristics can make us more susceptible to the development of certain forms of Guillain-Barré syndrome .
The data are published in the Journal of Autoimmunity .