title: Zika virus-associated neurological disorders: a review.
abstract: Zika virus, an arbovirus transmitted by mosquitoes of the Aedes species, is now rapidly disseminating throughout the Americas and the ongoing Brazilian outbreak is the largest Zika virus epidemic so far described. In addition to being associated with a non-specific acute febrile illness, a number of neurological manifestations, mainly microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome, have been associated with infection. These with other rarer neurological conditions suggest that Zika virus, similar to other flaviviruses, is neuropathogenic. The surge of Zika virus-related microcephaly cases in Brazil has received much attention and the role of the virus in this and in other neurological manifestations is growing. Zika virus has been shown to be transmitted perinatally and the virus can be detected in amniotic fluid, placenta and foetus brain tissue. A significant increase in Guillain-Barré syndrome incidence has also been reported during this, as well as in previous outbreaks. More recently, meningoencephalitis and myelitis have also been reported following Zika virus infection. In summary, while preliminary studies have suggested a clear relationship between Zika virus infection and certain neurological conditions, only longitudinal studies in this epidemic, as well as experimental studies either in animal models or in vitro, will help to better understand the role of the virus and the pathogenesis of these disorders.
authors.affiliation: 1 Laboratory for Clinical Research in Neuroinfections (Lapclin-Neuro), The Evandro Chagas National Institute Of Infectious Diseases (INI), FIOCRUZ, Avenida Brasil 4365, CEP 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, Brazil 2 The Deolindo Couto Institute of Neurology (INDC), The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Avenida Venceslau Bras 95, CEP 21941-901, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, Brazil abelardo@ufrj.br.
authors.forename: Abelardo Q C
authors.initials: AQ
authors.lastname: Araujo
authors.affiliation: 1 Laboratory for Clinical Research in Neuroinfections (Lapclin-Neuro), The Evandro Chagas National Institute Of Infectious Diseases (INI), FIOCRUZ, Avenida Brasil 4365, CEP 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcus Tulius T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: 3 Neuropaediatrics Unit, the Martagão Gesteira Institute of Child Health and Paediatrics (IPPMG), The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rua Bruno Lobo 50, CEP 21941-912, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alexandra P Q C
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Araujo
mesh_terms: D020275:Guillain-Barre Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008831:Microcephaly / Q000209:etiology*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D000071244:Zika Virus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D000071243:Zika Virus Infection / Q000150:complications*
keywords: Guillain-Barré syndrome; Zika virus; arbovirus; microcephaly; neurological complications