GBS after the Zika-outbreak in Colombia: The newcomer is gone but the problem continues! (P2.6-039)

Objective: To evaluate the clinical, immune and virological features of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) in the aftermath of the Zika epidemic in Colombia. Background: Starting in 2014, infection by Zika virus (ZIKV) caused a major epidemic in the Americas. Between 2015 and 2016, an increase in the number of GBS cases and other central nervous system complications was observed during the outbreak of ZIKV. Design/Methods: Clinical and immmuno-virological features were studied in an observational study of 198 patients with GBS evaluated from January 2016 to June 2018, at twelve university-based hospitals in Colombia as part of the Neuroviruses Emerging in the Americas Study (NEAS). Results: Of 198 patients, 108 (55%) were diagnosed during the epidemic phase (January–July 2016) and 90 (45%) cases during the post-epidemic period (August 2016–June 2018). Overall analysis showed male predominance (68%) and average age of 49 (±17) years. Fever, non-purulent conjunctivitis and exanthema preceding neurological symptoms were more commonly reported in GBS during the ZIKV-epidemic phase (p Conclusions: ZIKV-GBS presented a characteristic preceding clinical profile of fever, exanthema and high frequency of facial paralysis as compared with post-epidemic GBS cases. Despite ZIKV has almost disappeared, cases of GBS continue to present in several areas of Colombia, possibly associated with other triggering factors which may include C. jejuni and other infectious etiologies. Disclosure: Dr. Pardo-Villamizar has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gonzalez-Manrique has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jimenez-Arango has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lizarazo has nothing to disclose. Dr. Vargas has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lopez has nothing to disclose. Dr. Zea-Vera has nothing to disclose. Dr. Angarita has nothing to disclose. Dr. Moyano has nothing to disclose. Dr. Barreras has nothing to disclose. Dr. Munoz-Arcos has nothing to disclose. Dr. Quintero has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dominguez has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ramos has nothing to disclose. Dr. Beltran has nothing to disclose. Dr. Garcia-Dominguez has nothing to disclose. Dr. Benavides has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cornblath has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Acetylon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Annexon Biosciences, Akros Pharma, argenx BVBA, Biotest Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim, Cigna Health Management, Inc., CSL Behring, DP Clinical, Inc., Grifols S.A., Hansa Medical Inc., Karos Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Neurocrine Biosciences, Novartis Corp., Octapharma AG, Pharnext SAS, Seattle Genetics, Inc., Sun Pharmaceuticals, Syntimmune. Data Safety Monitoring Board: Pfizer Inc., Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Axovant Sciences LTD., Ampio Pharmaceuticals, PledPharma, Momenta Pharma, Sanofi, GBS CIDP Foundation International. Dr. Cornblath has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for JPNS. Dr. Cornblath has received compensation The Peripheral Nerve Society. Dr. Cornblath has received royalty, license fees, or contractual rights payments from Acetylon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Akros Pharma, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, LP, Calithera Biosciences, Genentech Inc, Karos Pharma, Neurocrine Biosciences, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Seattle Genetics, Inc., Shire Development, LLC. Dr. Parra has nothing to disclose. Dr. Osorio has nothing to disclose.