Zika virus infection complicated by Guillain-Barré syndrome – case report, French Polynesia, December 2013

Zika virus infection complicated by Guillain-Barré syndrome – case report, French Polynesia, December 2013

2014-03-06 | E Oehler, L Watrin, P Larre, I Leparc-Goffart, S Lastère, F Valour, L Baudouin, H P Mallet, D Musso, F Ghawche
A case of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) following Zika virus infection in French Polynesia is reported. The patient, a 40-year-old woman, developed neurological symptoms after an influenza-like illness, which was later confirmed as Zika virus infection. She presented with paraesthesia, ascending muscular weakness, tetraparesis, and facial palsy, and was diagnosed with GBS. Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment led to recovery, with the patient being discharged after 13 days. Retrospective analysis confirmed recent Zika virus infection, with serological tests showing specific antibodies against Zika and dengue viruses. This case marks the first reported instance of GBS following Zika virus infection. The study highlights the potential for Zika virus to cause severe complications, including GBS, and suggests that the co-epidemic of dengue and Zika viruses may increase the risk of GBS. The exact mechanism of Zika-related GBS is unknown, but it may be immunologically related to other viral infections. The case underscores the importance of monitoring for neurological complications in patients with Zika virus infection.A case of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) following Zika virus infection in French Polynesia is reported. The patient, a 40-year-old woman, developed neurological symptoms after an influenza-like illness, which was later confirmed as Zika virus infection. She presented with paraesthesia, ascending muscular weakness, tetraparesis, and facial palsy, and was diagnosed with GBS. Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment led to recovery, with the patient being discharged after 13 days. Retrospective analysis confirmed recent Zika virus infection, with serological tests showing specific antibodies against Zika and dengue viruses. This case marks the first reported instance of GBS following Zika virus infection. The study highlights the potential for Zika virus to cause severe complications, including GBS, and suggests that the co-epidemic of dengue and Zika viruses may increase the risk of GBS. The exact mechanism of Zika-related GBS is unknown, but it may be immunologically related to other viral infections. The case underscores the importance of monitoring for neurological complications in patients with Zika virus infection.
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