2014;19(9):pii=20720 | E Oehler, L Watrin, P Larre, I Leparc-Goffart, S Lastère, F Valour, L Baudouin, H P Mallet, D Musso, F Ghawche
This case report describes the first instance of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) occurring immediately after a Zika virus infection in French Polynesia during the 2013 Zika and dengue fever co-epidemics. A 40-year-old woman presented with neurological deficits, including paraesthesia, ascending muscular weakness, tetraparesis, paraesthesia, diffuse myalgia, and facial palsy. Laboratory findings confirmed a recent Zika virus infection and resolute infections by dengue serotypes 1-4. The patient was treated with intravenous polyvalent immunoglobulin and showed a favorable recovery, though paraparesis persisted. The report highlights the potential for Zika virus to cause severe neurological complications, such as GBS, and suggests that the simultaneous epidemics of dengue and Zika may be a predisposing factor for GBS development. Clinicians in endemic areas should be aware of the risk of GBS following Zika infection.This case report describes the first instance of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) occurring immediately after a Zika virus infection in French Polynesia during the 2013 Zika and dengue fever co-epidemics. A 40-year-old woman presented with neurological deficits, including paraesthesia, ascending muscular weakness, tetraparesis, paraesthesia, diffuse myalgia, and facial palsy. Laboratory findings confirmed a recent Zika virus infection and resolute infections by dengue serotypes 1-4. The patient was treated with intravenous polyvalent immunoglobulin and showed a favorable recovery, though paraparesis persisted. The report highlights the potential for Zika virus to cause severe neurological complications, such as GBS, and suggests that the simultaneous epidemics of dengue and Zika may be a predisposing factor for GBS development. Clinicians in endemic areas should be aware of the risk of GBS following Zika infection.