In a post of the Lancet, Inserm researchers have just reported the case of a young 15-year-old patient admitted to the Pointe-à-Pitre University Hospital (Guadeloupe) in the acute phase of an infection with the Zika virus and presenting with a motor deficit in all four limbs, associated with very intense pain and acute retention of urine.
The researchers detected high concentrations Zika virus in serum, urine and cerebrospinal fluid on the second day of admission. In response to this first case of acute myelitis linked to Zika, the researchers said: “This case reinforces the hypothesis of the neurotropic nature of the Zika virus. It highlights the existence of neurological complications in the acute phase of the infection, Guillain Barré syndrome being post-infectious complications”.
The young patient was treated with methylprednisolone (1g), which is an anti-inflammatory drug, from the first day and then daily for 5 days. On the seventh day of admission, her neurological condition improved. To date, she is still hospitalized but her life is not in danger. She has signs of moderate weakness in both legs but can walk without help.
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