Parainfectious Guillain-Barré Syndrome Linked with Zika in Colombia

Epidemiologic and virologic evidence in Colombia links Zika infection to GBS cases with distinct clinical features.

Concern that the Zika virus could cause Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) first arose during the 2013–2014 outbreak in French Polynesia (NEJM JW Infect Dis Apr 2016 and Lancet 2016; 387:1531). An increased incidence of GBS following the emergence of Zika virus disease (ZVD) has been reported in multiple countries in the Americas. Researchers now report a more comprehensive investigation of this apparent link.

Epidemiologic surveillance identified 2603 laboratory-confirmed and about 58,790 suspected ZVD cases in Colombia between October 2015 and March 2016, during which time the estimated incidence of GBS increased from 20 to 90 cases per month. Detailed studies on 68 patients with strong evidence of GBS showed that 66 had symptoms of ZVD within …

Reviewing Author

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Parainfectious Guillain-Barré Syndrome Linked with Zika in Colombia

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Reviewing Author