A study by researchers at the University of Recife (Brazil) reports two cases of people who were infected with viruz Zika and who later developed a disease called acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (EMAD), a rare neurological condition characterized by by inflammation of the brain and central nervous system.
This condition is similar to multiple sclerosis because that damages the protective coating of nerve fibers called myelin. But symptoms often only appear once, and patients recover after about 6 months of treatment.
Damage to the white matter of the brain
For this study, the researchers followed all the people who presented to the hospital of Recife between December 2014 and June 2015, with symptoms suggesting an infection with arbovirus (the family of viruses which includes Zika, the dengue and the chikungunya). Six people then developed neurological symptoms compatible with an autoimmune disease, and underwent additional tests and blood tests.
Among these six patients, two therefore developed acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. In both cases, scans of the brain showed signs of damage to the white matter.
The other four patients developed Guillain-Barré disease.
“This does not mean that everyone infected with the virus will experience this autoimmune disease. However, our study sheds light on the lingering effects of the virus.” explains Dr Maria Lucia Brito Ferreira, co-author of this study, in a press release.
This study will be presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology to be held in Vancouver from April 15 to 21.
Also read our file for learn all about the Zika virus.
