Predict the incidence of Guillain Barré Syndrome and arbovirus infection in Mexico, 2014-2019

Lumumba Arriaga-Nieto1, Porfirio Felipe Hernández-Bautista2, Alfonso Vallejos-Parás1

  • 1Epidemiologic Surveillance Coordination, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico.

Insights

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) cases in Mexico are linked to Dengue (DENV) and Zika (ZIKV) virus infections. Public health can predict GBS by monitoring DENV and ZIKV incidence through surveillance systems.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a serious neurological disorder with a 4-8% lethality rate, even with treatment.
  • Mexico faces endemic Dengue virus (DENV) and circulating Zika (ZIKV) and Chikungunya (CHIKV) viruses, increasing GBS risk.
  • Understanding the relationship between arbovirus infections and GBS is crucial for public health preparedness.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To predict the incidence of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) based on the cumulative incidence of Dengue (DENV), Zika (ZIKV), and Chikungunya (CHIKV) in Mexico.
  • To establish a quantitative relationship between arbovirus infections and GBS cases in Mexico.
  • To inform public health strategies for managing arbovirus-related GBS.

Main Methods:

  • A six-year ecological time series study (2014-2019) was conducted in Mexico.
  • Data on GBS cases were obtained from the Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) Epidemiological Surveillance System (ESS).
  • Estimated DENV, ZIKV, and CHIKV cases were sourced from the vector-borne diseases surveillance system.

Main Results:

  • A positive correlation was found between GBS incidence and both DENV and ZIKV cases in Mexico.
  • An average of 1.45 GBS cases occurred per 1,000 DENV cases, and 1.93 GBS cases per 1,000 ZIKV cases.
  • A negative correlation was observed between GBS incidence and CHIKV cases.

Conclusions:

  • GBS incidence in Mexico can be predicted by monitoring DENV and ZIKV cases through epidemiological surveillance.
  • These findings support enhanced public health capacity for arbovirus disease prevention and GBS treatment supply management.
  • Timely surveillance of DENV and ZIKV is essential for proactive GBS management in Mexico.