WHO Update: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) In Columbia & Venezuela

Credit CDC

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On Monday, in Guillain-Barre syndrome: The Other Zika Concern, we looked at growing  evidence that Zika virus infection might - in rare instances -  provoke an autoimmune disease called Guillain-Barre Syndrome that can present with muscle weakness and even paralysis.

I wrote about the first sign that Zika might be capable of such a thing nearly two years ago in Zika, Dengue & Unusual Rates Of Guillain Barre Syndrome In French Polynesia. In March 2014 the journal Eurosurveillance carried a Rapid Communications describing the first case and reporting a 20-fold increase in GBS during their Zika outbreak.

While a handful of cases of GBS have been linked to Dengue and Chikungunya, neither have been viewed as a strong risk factor. But once again we seem to be seeing an increase in Guillain-Barre Syndrome in countries (Brazil, El Salvador, Columbia, and Venezuela) where the Zika virus is currently circulating. 


While a Zika-GBS link has yet to be fully established, the evidence seems to grow stronger with each passing day.  This update on recent surges in GBS in South America comes from the World Health Organization.

Guillain-Barré syndrome – Colombia and Venezuela

Disease Outbreak News
12 February 2016 

Between 30 January and 2 February 2016, the National IHR Focal Points of Colombia and Venezuela informed PAHO/WHO of increases in the number of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) cases recorded at the national level.

Colombia

From epidemiological week (EW) 51 of 2015 to EW 3 of 2016, 86 GBS cases were reported. On average, Colombia registers 242 GBS cases per year or approximately 19 cases per month or 5 cases per week. The 86 GBS cases reported in those 5 weeks is three times higher than the averaged expected cases of the 6 previous years.

Initial reports indicated that all the 86 reported GBS cases presented with symptoms compatible with a Zika virus infection. Of the 58 cases for which information is available, 57% were male and 94.8% were 18 years old or older.

Venezuela

From 1 January to 31 January 2016, 252 GBS cases with a spatiotemporal association to Zika virus were reported. While cases were recorded in the majority of the federal territories of the country, 66 were detected in the state of Zulia, mainly in the Maracaibo municipality.

Preliminary analysis of the GBS cases in the state of Zulia indicates that the 66 cases originated from six municipalities. Of the 66 cases, 30% were 45 to 54 years old and 29% were 65 years or older; 61% were male and 39% were female. A clinical history consistent with Zika virus infection was observed in the days prior to onset of neurological symptoms in 76% of the GBS cases in the state of Zulia. Associated comorbidities were present in 65% of the cases. Patients were treated with plasmapheresis and/or immunoglobulin. In some cases, according to medical indication, both treatments were used following the treatment protocol established by the Ministry of Popular Power for Health.

Zika virus infection was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction in three GBS cases, including a fatal case with no comorbidities. A total of three cases presenting with other neurological disorders were also biologically confirmed. 

Between late November to 28 January 2016, 192 cases of Zika virus infection were laboratory confirmed through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Of the 192 cases, 110 (57%) are from the state of Zulia.

WHO risk assessment

Zika virus infection has been laboratory confirmed in only three of the reported GBS cases from Venezuela, while the infection has not been detected in any of the GBS cases from Colombia. Although the cause of the rise in GBS cases has not yet been established, similar increases have been observed in other countries, notably El Salvador and Brazil (see DONs published on 21 January and 8 February 2016, respectively). Further investigations are needed to identify the potential role of previous infections known to be associated, or potentially associated, with GBS.

WHO recommends Member States affected or susceptible to Zika virus outbreaks to:

• monitor the incidence and trends of neurological disorders, especially GBS, to identify variations against their expected baseline values;
• develop and implement sufficient patient management protocols to manage the additional burden on health care facilities generated by a sudden increase in patients with Guillain-Barre Syndrome;
• raise awareness among health care workers and establish and/or strengthen links between public health services and clinicians in the public and private sectors.

(Continue . . .)