Olfactory outcomes in Zika virus‐associated Guillain–Barré syndrome

Abstract

Background and purpose: Zika virus (ZIKV) infection has been associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). However, little is known about the consequence of ZIKV infection on olfaction in humans. Methods:Immediately before the COVID-19 outbreak, we prospectively investigated the olfactory capacities of 19 patients with ZIKV-associated GBS from the French West Indies and compared them to nine controls from the same population, with GBS of similar severity but independent of ZIKV infection. To provide further evidence that ZIKV infection induces smell alteration, we investigated the consequences of ZIKV infection on olfactory abilities using a mouse model. Results:Patients with GBS-ZIKA+ had poorer olfactory function than GBS-non-ZIKA, even 1-2 years after the acute phase. The proportion of patients with hyposmia was significantly higher in the GBS-ZIKA+ than in the GBS-non-ZIKA group (68.4% vs. 22.2%, p = 0.042). These deficits were characterized by lower threshold and identification scores and were independent from GBS severity. Additionally, ZIKV infection was found to impair olfaction in immunodeficient mice infected with ZIKV. High viral load was observed in their olfactory system and downstream brain structures. ZIKV promoted both cellular

Kunjin Virus, Zika Virus, and Yellow Fever Virus Infections Have Distinct Effects on the Coding Transcriptome and Proteome of Brain-Derived U87 Cells

“…Two other attractive candidates for further studies are the genes DLX5 and ATOH8, which are also repressed in ZIKV-infected cells. DLX5 has been shown to be involved in the development of the olfactory system [ 36 ], and ZIKV has recently been associated with olfactory disorders in mice [ 37 ] as well as reduced olfactory function in patients with ZIKV-induced Guillain-Barré syndrome [ 38 ]. ATOH8 is involved in the developing nervous system as well as the inner ear [ 39 ], and ZIKV has been observed to cause hearing loss [ 40 ].…”

Zika virus leads to olfactory disorders in mice by targeting olfactory ensheathing cells

“…Olfactory function was evaluated by the standard buried food pellet test (BFPT), as previously described. 60 Briefly, two days prior to the test, mice were subjected to food restriction by providing 0.2 g of chow pellets per mouse per day, with free access to water. On the test day, mice were habituated to the testing environment for at least 1 h to familiarize them with both the testing cage and the room.…”

“… 59 Additionally, a recent study demonstrated that ZIKV infection was related to long-term olfactory dysfunction in patient with ZIKV-associated GBS. 60 However, the pathogenic properties, distribution and main target cells of ZIKV in the olfactory system, and the changes in olfactory function that occur following ZIKV infection are still largely unknown.…”