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Neurological Presentation of Zika Virus Infection Beyond the Perinatal Period

  • Central Nervous System Infections (K Bloch, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Infectious Disease Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Our purpose was to summarize the current knowledge about the neurological presentation of Zika virus infection after the perinatal period. Other Flaviviruses infections, such as West Nile virus (WNV) or Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), can result in neuro-invasive disease such as myelitis, encephalitis, or meningitis. We aimed at describing the specificities of ZV neurological infection.

Recent Findings

The recent outbreaks demonstrated clearly the neurotropism of ZV. However, by contrast with other Flaviviruses, the most frequent neurological presentation of ZV infection beyond the perinatal period was Guillain-Barré syndrome, especially the demyelination form of GBS. Encephalitis and myelitis seem to occur less frequently after ZV infection than after WNV or JEV infection.

Summary

The pathophysiology of neurological ZV infections is still poorly understood and no specific treatment is available. Moreover, no data is available about long-term persisting symptoms and possible impairment of patients after the acute clinical episode.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neurology, Centre Hospitalier de Saint-Denis, 93200, Saint-Denis, France

    Thomas De Broucker

  2. Santé Publique France, 94410, Saint-Maurice, France

    Alexandra Mailles

  3. Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University hospital, 38700, Grenoble, France

    Jean-Paul Stahl

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  1. Thomas De Broucker
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  2. Alexandra Mailles
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  3. Jean-Paul Stahl
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Correspondence to Alexandra Mailles.

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De Broucker, T., Mailles, A. & Stahl, JP. Neurological Presentation of Zika Virus Infection Beyond the Perinatal Period. Curr Infect Dis Rep 19, 35 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-017-0590-9

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