A 70-year-old man has had increasing difficulty with movement, starting with his feet and ascending to involve legs, trunk, and now arms, over the past 10 days. On physical examination there are variable sensory changes noted. He is afebrile. He does not lose consciousness and remains mentally alert. He becomes ventilator dependent a week after the onset of this illness. A lumbar puncture is performed and the CSF demonstrates a protein of 86 mg/dL, glucose 63 mg/dL (serum 89 mg/dL), and only 3 mononuclear cells/microliter. He gradually recovers over the ensuing 4 weeks. Which of the following conditions most likely preceded the onset of this man's illness?

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