Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) is a Gram‐negative bacterium, considered to trigger autoimmune gastrointestinal disorders. This pathogen has also been linked to the autoimmune sequelae in extra‐gastrointestinal diseases and peripheral neuropathies. Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) is a serious autoimmune demyelinating disorder of peripheral nerves, usually with a post‐infectious onset. About 30% of cases of GBS attributed to by Campylobacter jejuni, so, H pylori, could be also involved. Growing evidence suggests the likely involvement of H pylori infection in the development of GBS. The aim of the current study was to therefore estimate the prevalence of H pylori antibodies in GBS.

A search of the literature was performed, using the PUBMED database, until December 2018. Data were extracted from six case‐control studies, and a stratification analysis was conducted according to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or serum detection material.

Among 29 records found, 6 studies met in the inclusion criteria for the meta‐analysis. In the CSF subgroup, 105 participants were involved (40 GBS patients and 65 controls), while the serum subgroup included 325 participants (152 GBS and 173 controls). Data were combined using a fixed‐effects model. Anti‐H pylori IgG were significantly more prevalent in GBS patients compared to controls, in both CSF (95% CI: 9.66‐186.56, OR: 42.45, Pz < .00001) and serum (95% CI: 1.30‐4.11, OR: 2.31, Pz: .004) subgroups.

The present meta‐analysis showed a strong association between GBS and the presence of H pylori antibodies, especially in CSF, thereby suggesting a role of H pylori infection in the pathophysiology of GBS.