Zika virus causes dangerous polyneuropathy syndrome

Zika virus can cause acute polyneuropathy that strongly affects the peripheral nerves, typical symptoms are weakness in the feet and hands that gradually spread to the body.

Illustration: minhavida.

Zika virus outbreak since late 2015so farin Latin Americais recognized as the largest Zika outbreak in the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) has conducted many studies and warned of a significant link between the Zika virus, neurological disorders and fetal brain development disorders. The WHO Secretary-General gave a brief presentation on microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome, which are closely linked to the Zika virus in French Polynesia. WHO continues to promote research on other complications related to this virus.

Other studies published on the siteMedlineFrom January 1, 1990 to February 14 this year, there was evidence of Zika virus causing Guillain-Barré syndrome, especially in Zika-infected patients in Brazil and French Polynesia. Among them, one caseThere is serological evidence demonstrating a clear association between Guillain-Barré syndrome and Zika virus infection. Studies describe 42 patients in Polynesia who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome following Zika virus infection.

The syndrome is named after the French physicians Georges Guillain and Jean Alexandre Barré, who described it in 1916. Guillain-Barré syndrome, sometimes called Landry's paralysis or Guillain-Barré-Strohl syndrome, is an acute inflammatory polyneuropathy that most severely affects the peripheral nervous system.

The most typical symptom of the disease is that the feet and hands begin to weaken, then spread into the body. Some other symptoms can change the feeling or cause pain, disorders of the autonomic nervous system (vegetative nervous system). The disease causes life-threatening complications, even paralysis of the muscles of the respiratory system. Usually, polyneuropathy occurs after an infection.

Diagnosis of polyneuropathy is usually made by nerve conduction studies and cerebrospinal fluid. With prompt treatment with high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin or plasmapheresis combined with supportive care, most patients recover completely. Guillain-Barré syndrome is rare, with an estimated 1-3 cases per 100,000 people per year. However, it is the most common cause of acute nontraumatic paralysis. Men are 1.5 times more likely to develop the condition than women. It occurs at all ages.

The Zika epidemic is in an alarming and complicated situation, spreading very quickly, especially in the Latin American region. Therefore, WHO warns countries, especially tropical and subtropical countries, to pay close attention, prepare epidemic prevention plans and adequate equipment to treat Zika-infected patients and control complications well. In addition, there needs to be a plan to manage and treat cases of polyneuropathy after Zika virus infection.

According to VNE