Undercooked chicken ‘can trigger potentially deadly neurological condition also linked to Zika’
Scientists have found a common bacteria in chicken cooked improperly can cause Guillain-Barre syndrome, where the body's immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system
UNDERCOOKED chicken could trigger a potentially fatal neurological condition that leaves sufferers paralysed, experts have warned.
A common bacteria that lurks in the raw flesh has been found to cause Guillain-Barre syndrome.
It is a life-threatening disorder where the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system.
Early symptoms include feeling weak and experiencing tingling sensations in the legs.
Scientists at Michigan State University have shown for the first time how the bug, known as campylobacter jejuni, triggers GBS - and hope that discovery will help formulate a cure.
If chicken isn't cooked to a proper minimum internal temperature, harmful bacteria can remain, posing a threat.
It's well known that some bacteria in undercooked chicken can cause a nasty bout of food poisoning.
But, now the evidence points to a far more important reason to ensure your chicken is cooked thoroughly.
Professor Linda Mansfield, lead author of the study, said: "What our work has told us is that it takes a certain genetic makeup combined with a certain campylobacter strain to cause this disease.
"The concerning thing is that many of these strains are resistant to antibiotics and our work shows that treatment with some antibiotics could actually make the disease worse."
What our work has told us is that it takes a certain genetic makeup combined with a certain Campylobacter strain to cause this disease
Professor Linda Mansfield
Guillain-Barre syndrome is the leading cause of acute neuromuscular paralysis, yet the exact cause remains a mystery to experts.
Prof Mansfield and her team have created three preclinical models of GBS that represent two different forms of the syndrome seen in humans.
"Our models now provide a unique opportunity to understand how your personal genetic type may make you more susceptible to certain forms of GBS," she said.
Recently scientists have raised concerns that the syndrome can be triggered by the Zika virus.
Most people diagnosed with the autoimmune disease develop it shortly after having a viral or bacterial infection.
Prof Mansfield said there are many different viruses and infections that could trigger GBS, and their models could help study a range of suspected causes, as well as finding better treatments and prevention options.
Despite the severity of GBS, treatments have been limited and in many cases, they fail.
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The use of certain antibiotics in Prof Mansfield's study aggravated specific symptoms.
“These models hold great potential for discovery of new treatments for this paralysis,” Prof Mansfield said.
“Many patients with GBS are critically ill and they can’t participate in clinical trials. The models we identified can help solve this.”
Those suffering from GBS can initially experience vomiting and diarrhoea, but can often write the symptoms off as eating bad food.
WHAT IS GUILLAIN-BARRE SYNDROME?
Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare but life-threatening condition where the bodys immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system.
Though the exact evades scientists, most sufferers - around 60 per cent - develop the condition after suffering a viral or bacterial infection.
Its thought the infection may cause the immune system to attack nerve roots and peripheral nerves.
The symptoms typically emerge two to four weeks after a minor infection, such as a cold, sore throat or gastroenteritis.
Symptoms often start in a persons feet and hands before spreading to your arms and legs.
You will likely notice:
- pain, tingling and numbness
- progressive muscle weakness
- co-ordination problems and unsteadiness
The weakness affects both sides of the body and typically gets worse over several days.
One to three weeks later, they can begin to develop weakness and tingling in the feet and legs.
Gradually, paralysis can spread to the upper body and arms, and even a respirator may be needed for breathing.
Prof Mansfield now wants to move forward quickly to test drugs against GBS in her models.
“Of course new treatments would be wonderful,” she said.
"But therapeutics to prevent GBS from developing in the first place would be the best strategy so that people don’t have to suffer with paralysis.”
Campylobacter jejuni infects more than a million people yearly in the US and is also known to trigger other autoimmune disorders such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Reiter’s arthritis.
The research is published in the Journal of Autoimmunity.
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