Background: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) has been identified as a possible complication of infections with the Zika virus (ZIKV) in the current epidemic in Central and South America. Here we describe the first case of GBS in the Netherlands following a ZIKV infection.
Case description: A 60-year-old woman presented with diarrhoea, fever and an unsteady gait after returning from Surinam. As creatine kinase levels were raised the initial diagnosis was rhabdomyolysis associated with myositis or medication use. However, creatine kinase levels normalized rapidly and the patient developed muscle weakness, sensory disturbances, hyporeflexia in her limbs and facial diplegia. The diagnosis GBS was considered, which was supported by spinal fluid investigation and electromyography. ZIKV was detected in serum and urine. The patient was treated with intravenous immunoglobulins, and recovered.
Conclusion: This patient developed GBS following a recent ZIKV infection acquired in Suriname. A causal relation between ZIKV infection and GBS, however, has not yet been demonstrated.