Researchers from John Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, working in collaboration with scientists in Colombia, produced the strongest evidence to date that Zika causes neurological problems in adults, according to a new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
For the study, researchers sought to better understand the link between Guillain–Barre syndrome — a condition in which the body's immune system attacks the nerves and incites paralysis — and infection with the Zika virus. In Colombia, researchers conducted clinical evaluations of 68 Guillain-Barré patients from six hospitals across the country. Evaluations included the analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, blood and urine from all patients.
Of the 68 patients, 17 tested positive for Zika and an additional 18 carried Zika antibodies in their blood or spinal fluid, indicating possible viral exposure. All but two of the patients displayed two or more symptoms of the Zika virus like fever or rash.
Matthew B. Laurens, MD, the director of the international clinical trials unit within the Division of Malaria Research at the Institute for Global Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, told The Baltimore Sun the Hopkin's research has made the strongest link to date between Zika and Guillain–Barre.
"We know viral illnesses can cause Guillain-Barre, but this is evidence there is a very strong link between Zika and Guillain-Barre," said Dr. Laurens. "It is documenting the burden of disease of Guillain-Barre in this population that is experiencing a Zika outbreak."
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