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. 2025 Feb 20:49:e23.
doi: 10.26633/RPSP.2025.23. eCollection 2025.

Oropouche virus - another antecedent event for Guillain-Barré syndrome?

Alina González-Quevedo  1 , Zurina Lestayo O'Farrill  2 , Reinaldo Mustelier Becquer  2
Affiliations

Oropouche virus - another antecedent event for Guillain-Barré syndrome?

Alina González-Quevedo et al. Rev Panam Salud Publica. .

Abstract
in English, Spanish, Portuguese

In May 2024, the Pan American Health Organization issued alerts of increased numbers of cases of Oropouche fever in non-Amazonian regions in Latin America. Following this, an association between Oropouche fever and Guillain-Barré syndrome was reported in three patients in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. Neurological manifestations have rarely been described in relation to Oropouche virus infection. Previously, encephalitis and meningoencephalitis have been associated with Oropouche virus infection, but now the virus seems also to be associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome. In this article we describe the main factors that could underlie the increased incidence of Oropouche fever and its neurological complications. Oropouche virus should be recognized as a potential pathogen in cases of fever associated with neurological symptoms (meningitis, meningoencephalitis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome). Medical professionals and health systems need to be aware of these complications and the importance of early diagnosis and preparedness, especially during large outbreaks or in patients living in or coming from endemic regions.

En mayo del 2024, la Organización Panamericana de la Salud emitió una alerta sobre el aumento del número de casos de fiebre del Oropouche en zonas no amazónicas de América Latina. Posteriormente, se notificó una asociación entre la fiebre del Oropouche y el síndrome de Guillain-Barré en tres pacientes en Santiago de Cuba (Cuba). Solo en contadas ocasiones se han descrito algunas manifestaciones neurológicas asociadas a la infección por el virus del Oropouche. La encefalitis y la meningoencefalitis han sido asociadas anteriormente a la infección por este virus, pero al parecer esta infección podría ahora también estar asociada al síndrome de Guillain-Barré. El propósito de este artículo es describir los principales factores subyacentes que podrían explicar el aumento de la incidencia de la fiebre del Oropouche y sus complicaciones neurológicas. En los casos de infección por el virus del Oropouche asociada a síntomas neurológicos (como meningitis, meningoencefalitis y síndrome de Guillain-Barré), se recomienda reconocer al virus del Oropouche como un posible agente patógeno. Es imperativo que los profesionales médicos y los sistemas de salud tengan en cuenta estas complicaciones, así como la importancia del diagnóstico temprano y la preparación, especialmente durante los grandes brotes o en pacientes residentes o provenientes de zonas con endemicidad.

Em maio de 2024, a Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde emitiu alertas sobre o aumento no número de casos de febre do Oropouche em regiões não amazônicas da América Latina. Posteriormente, foi relatada uma associação entre a febre do Oropouche e a síndrome de Guillain-Barré em três pacientes em Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. Relatos de manifestações neurológicas relacionadas à infecção pelo vírus Oropouche são raros. No passado, tanto encefalite quanto meningoencefalite foram associadas à infecção pelo vírus Oropouche. Agora, acredita-se que o vírus esteja associado também à síndrome de Guillain-Barré. Neste artigo, descrevemos os principais fatores que podem estar por trás do aumento na incidência da febre do Oropouche e suas complicações neurológicas. O vírus Oropouche deve ser considerado um possível patógeno em casos de febre associada a sintomas neurológicos (meningite, meningoencefalite e síndrome de Guillain-Barré). Os profissionais de saúde e os sistemas de saúde precisam estar cientes dessas complicações e da importância do diagnóstico precoce e da preparação, sobretudo durante grandes surtos ou em pacientes que morem em regiões endêmicas ou que tenham visitado essas regiões.

Keywords: Bunyaviridae infections; Guillain Barré syndrome; Latin America; disease outbreaks; neurologic manifestations.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest. None declared.

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