Zika virus infection preceding Guillain-Barré syndrome: Two cases from Southern India

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a leading cause of acute flaccid paralysis and has been associated with several arboviral infections. It is an acute immune-mediated polyradiculo-neuropathy characterised by rapidly progressive limb weakness, areflexia, and variable cranial nerve involvement. Antecedent infections are reported in the majority of patients, most commonly gastro-intestinal or respiratory. In recent years, arboviruses such as Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika have emerged as important infectious triggers of GBS, particularly in tropical regions. Zika virus infection is often asymptomatic or presents with non-specific febrile illness, making it likely to be under-diagnosed in endemic settings.