Transverse myelitis associated with Zika virus infection: a Case Report

Abstract

Background: The zika virus belongs to the family flaviviridae, and is transmitted by the arthropod Aedes aegypt. Its major importance is related to the several debilitating neurological manifestations associated with it, such as transverse myelitis. Case:The authors report a case of transverse myelitis in a patient with a previous diagnosis of Zika virus infection. After the image exams and serology, the diagnosis was confirmed and treatment with prednisone was performed with an unsatisfactory clinical outcome. Conclusion:Brazil is the country of greatest concern worldwide due to the thousands of Zika cases with associated neurological complications, causing sequels and physical disabilities. However, cases worldwide have increased substantially.

Concurrent Guillain-Barré syndrome, transverse myelitis and encephalitis post-Zika: A case report and review of the pathogenic role of multiple arboviral immunity

“…The Dengue outbreak that preceded and co-circulated with Zika infection probably resulted in anti-flavivirus cross-immunity that may have induced antibody-dependent enhancement leading to ZIKV-GBS [59][60][61]. The potential role of Chikungunya infection [51], a Togaviridae family arbovirus, that affected this patient four months prior to the ZIKV infection, remains unexplored. An epidemiological increase of Dengue and Chikungunya cases occurred in Colombia from July 2014 until July 2015 and preceded the outbreak of Zika infection by three months.…”

“…ZIKV-ATM and ZIKV-ADEM have rarely been reported in the American continent and the Caribbean [47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56]. We were able to find a total of 19 patients with myelitis associated with ZIKV infection [Table 2].…”

“…An epidemiological increase of Dengue and Chikungunya cases occurred in Colombia from July 2014 until July 2015 and preceded the outbreak of Zika infection by three months. There are reports of CHIKV-GBS, meningoencephalitis, and myelitis during CHIKV outbreaks around the world [51]. Although other members of the Flaviviridae family such as Yellow fever, Saint Louis encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis, WNV, DENV, and CHIKV are capable of producing neurological disease, the broad spectrum of neurological manifestations of Zika virus is unprecedented.…”