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Viruses
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Zika Virus and Congenital Zika Syndrome
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Zika Virus and Congenital Zika Syndrome

A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915). This special issue belongs to the section "Human Virology and Viral Diseases".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 6364

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Marcos Vinicius Da Silva Pone

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Institute of Women, Children and Adolescents Health Fernandes Figueira, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IFF-Fiocruz), BR-22250-020, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Interests: Zika virus; congenital Zika syndrome; congenital infections
Dr. Sheila Moura Pone

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Institute of Women, Children and Adolescents Health Fernandes Figueira, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IFF-Fiocruz), BR-22250-020, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Interests: dengue; Zika virus; congenital Zika syndrome

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection became a global public health concern when a sudden increase in cases of microcephaly and other congenital anomalies was reported during an epidemic in Brazil from 2015 to 2016, and has triggered intensive research into many areas related to their transmission dynamics, pathogenesis, and description of the specific pattern of birth defects. Research over the past few years has explored many aspects of congenital Zika syndrome; however, our current understanding of the range of adverse impacts of intrauterine ZIKV infection, the disease’s natural history, and outcomes in children is still limited.

In this Special Issue, we welcome a wide range of articles, including original research, short communications, and reviews related to all aspects of Zika virus infection and congenital Zika syndrome. Specifically, we encourage investigations related to epidemiology, viral transmission, pathogenesis, molecular pathology, clinical presentation, and improvements in diagnostics, outcomes, and vaccine development, although other relevant topics are also welcome.

We look forward to receiving your contributions to this Special Issue.

Dr. Marcos Vinicius Da Silva Pone
Dr. Sheila Moura Pone
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Viruses is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • viral infections
  • Zika virus
  • congenital Zika syndrome

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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13 pages, 495 KiB  
Article
Comparative Evaluation of Select Serological Assays for Zika Virus Using Blinded Reference Panels
by Devy M. Emperador, Mars Stone, Eduard Grebe, Camille Escadafal, Honey Dave, Eve Lackritz, Cassandra Kelly-Cirino, Ingrid Rabe, Diana P. Rojas, Michael P. Busch and Graham Simmons
Viruses 2024, 16(7), 1075; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16071075 - 3 Jul 2024
Viewed by 699
Abstract
In response to the 2015 Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic that occurred in Brazil, numerous commercial serological assays have been developed for clinical and research applications. Diagnosis of recent infection in pregnant women remains challenging. Having standardized, comparative studies of ZIKV tests is important [...] Read more.
In response to the 2015 Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic that occurred in Brazil, numerous commercial serological assays have been developed for clinical and research applications. Diagnosis of recent infection in pregnant women remains challenging. Having standardized, comparative studies of ZIKV tests is important for implementing optimal diagnostic testing and disease surveillance. This is especially important for serology tests used to detect ZIKV infection given that antibodies against ZIKV can cross-react with other arboviruses in the same virus family, such as dengue virus (DENV), yellow fever virus (YFV) and West Nile virus (WNV). We looked at the sensitivity and specificity of tests detecting ZIKV antibodies (IgM, IgG) from multiple manufacturers using panels of samples previously collected with known exposure to ZIKV and other arboviruses. We found that performance of the IgM tests was highly variable, with only one test (Inbios 2.0 IgM capture ELISA) having both high sensitivity and specificity. All IgG tests showed good sensitivity; however, specificity was highly variable, with some assays giving false-positive results on samples infected by another flavivirus. Overall, the results confirmed that accurate ZIKV antibody testing is challenging, especially in specimens from regions endemic for multiple other flaviviruses, and highlight the importance of available and suitable reference samples to evaluate ZIKV diagnostics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zika Virus and Congenital Zika Syndrome)
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9 pages, 2078 KiB  
Article
Serological Evidence of Zika Virus Infections in Sudan
by Awadalkareem Adam, Robert Wenzel, Elisabeth Unger, Sven Reiche and Christian Jassoy
Viruses 2024, 16(7), 1045; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16071045 - 28 Jun 2024
Viewed by 812
Abstract
Little is known about the frequency of Zika virus (ZIKV) infections in Sudan. The aim of this study was to obtain data on the prevalence of ZIKV infections and the immunity of the population in the country. To this end, 198 sera obtained [...] Read more.
Little is known about the frequency of Zika virus (ZIKV) infections in Sudan. The aim of this study was to obtain data on the prevalence of ZIKV infections and the immunity of the population in the country. To this end, 198 sera obtained between December 2012 and January 2013 in different regions in Sudan were examined for neutralizing antibodies against ZIKV, dengue virus (DENV), and yellow fever virus (YFV). The sera were non-randomly selected. The neutralization titers were compared with each other and with the WHO 1st International Standard for anti-Asian lineage Zika virus antibody. Twenty-six sera neutralized ZIKV. One-third of these sera had higher neutralization titers against ZIKV than against DENV-2 and -3. Two sera showed higher neutralization titers than the WHO standard for ZIKV antibodies. These data suggest occasional ZIKV infections in Sudan. The low percentage of sera in this cohort that neutralized ZIKV indicates that, in the study period, the population was susceptible to ZIKV infection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zika Virus and Congenital Zika Syndrome)
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12 pages, 2762 KiB  
Article
Association between Sleep and Language Development in Children with Congenital Zika Syndrome
by Nathani C. da Silva, Celia M. Giacheti, Maria C. H. do Couto, Stefany S. de Jesus, Erlane M. Ribeiro, Islane M. C. Verçosa and Luciana Pinato
Viruses 2024, 16(7), 1003; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16071003 - 22 Jun 2024
Viewed by 465
Abstract
AIM: Congenital Zika Virus Syndrome (CZS) presents notable hurdles to neurodevelopment, with language development emerging as a crucial aspect. This study investigates sleep patterns and language skills in children with CZS, aiming to explore the potential synchronization of sleep development with their neurodevelopment. [...] Read more.
AIM: Congenital Zika Virus Syndrome (CZS) presents notable hurdles to neurodevelopment, with language development emerging as a crucial aspect. This study investigates sleep patterns and language skills in children with CZS, aiming to explore the potential synchronization of sleep development with their neurodevelopment. METHOD: We studied cross-sectionally 135 children with CZS aged 0 to 48 months, investigating sleep using the BISQ Questionnaire. Language development was assessed using the Early Language Milestone Scale, while motor development and cognitive and social ability were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Young Child Development 3rd edition. We also studied longitudinally a cohort of 16 children (initially aged 0 to 12 months) whom we followed for four years, assessing at one-year intervals. RESULTS: Sleep disturbances and language deficits were highly frequent in this population. In the 0–12 months group, a late bedtime and frequent nighttime awakenings were associated with poorer auditory expressive skills. At 13–24 months, nighttime awakenings were associated with poorer auditory expressive skills, while among 25–36-month-olds decreased auditory receptive skills were associated with longer sleep onset latency and reduced nighttime sleep duration. CONCLUSION: The brain alterations caused by Zika virus infection affect both sleep disturbances and delays in language development. It is possible that sleep disturbance may be a mediating factor in the pathway between CZS and delayed language development, as the three analyzed language skills showed a correlation with sleep parameters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zika Virus and Congenital Zika Syndrome)
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13 pages, 318 KiB  
Article
Clinical and Acoustic Alterations of Swallowing in Children Exposed to Zika Virus during Pregnancy in a Cohort in Amazonas, Brazil: A Case Series Study
by Cristina de Souza Rodrigues, Raillon Keven Santos Souza, Cosmo Vieira Rocha Neto, Rodrigo Haruo Otani, Daniel de Medeiros Batista, Ana Karla Nelson de Oliveira Maia, Kleber Pinheiro de Oliveira Filho, Thais Dourado de Andrade, Emmilyn de Andrade Almeida, Luiz Henrique Gonçalves Maciel, Lucíola de Fátima Albuquerque Almeida Peixoto Castro, Marília Rosa Abtibol-Bernardino, Djane Clarys Baia-da-Silva, Silvana Gomes Benzecry, Marcia da Costa Castilho, Flor Ernestina Martínez-Espinosa, Maria das Graças Costa Alecrim, Rosane Sampaio Santos and Camila Botto-Menezes
Viruses 2023, 15(12), 2363; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15122363 - 30 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1462
Abstract
Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) is a swallowing disorder that involves difficulty in safely passing the food bolus from the oral cavity to the stomach. OD is a common problem in children with congenital Zika virus syndrome (CZS). In this case series, we describe the [...] Read more.
Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) is a swallowing disorder that involves difficulty in safely passing the food bolus from the oral cavity to the stomach. OD is a common problem in children with congenital Zika virus syndrome (CZS). In this case series, we describe the clinical and acoustic alterations of swallowing in children exposed to the Zika virus during pregnancy in a cohort from Amazonas, Brazil. From July 2019 to January 2020, 22 children were evaluated, 6 with microcephaly and 16 without microcephaly. The mean age among the participants was 35 months (±4.6 months). All children with microcephaly had alterations in oral motricity, mainly in the lips and cheeks. Other alterations were in vocal quality, hard palate, and soft palate. Half of the children with microcephaly showed changes in cervical auscultation during breast milk swallowing. In children without microcephaly, the most frequently observed alteration was in lip motricity, but alterations in auscultation during the swallowing of breast milk were not observed. Regarding swallowing food of a liquid and pasty consistency, the most frequent alterations were incomplete verbal closure, increased oral transit time, inadequacy in capturing the spoon, anterior labial leakage, and increased oral transit time. Although these events are more frequent in microcephalic children, they can also be seen in non-microcephalic children, which points to the need for an indistinct evaluation of children exposed in utero to ZIKV. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zika Virus and Congenital Zika Syndrome)
14 pages, 2212 KiB  
Article
Low CCL2 and CXCL8 Production and High Prevalence of Allergies in Children with Microcephaly Due to Congenital Zika Syndrome
by Wallace Pitanga Bezerra, Amanda Costa Ayres Salmeron, Anna Cláudia Calvielli Castelo Branco, Ingryd Camara Morais, Valéria Soraya de Farias Sales, Paula Renata Lima Machado, Janeusa Trindade Souto, Josélio Maria Galvão de Araújo, Paulo Marcos da Matta Guedes, Maria Notomi Sato and Manuela Sales Lima Nascimento
Viruses 2023, 15(9), 1832; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15091832 - 29 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1151
Abstract
Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) is associated with an increased risk of microcephaly in affected children. This study investigated the peripheral dysregulation of immune mediators in children with microcephaly due to CZS. Gene expression quantified by qPCR in whole blood samples showed an increase [...] Read more.
Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) is associated with an increased risk of microcephaly in affected children. This study investigated the peripheral dysregulation of immune mediators in children with microcephaly due to CZS. Gene expression quantified by qPCR in whole blood samples showed an increase in IFNγ and IL-13 transcripts in children affected with microcephaly compared to the control group. The microcephaly group exhibited significantly decreased CCL2 and CXCL8 levels in serum, quantified by CBA assay. An allergic profile questionnaire revealed a high prevalence of allergies in the microcephaly group. In accordance, elevated serum IgE level measured by the Proquantum Immunoassay was observed in children affected with microcephaly compared to the control group. Altogether, these findings show a persistent systemic inflammation in children with microcephaly due to CZS and suggest a possible impairment in leukocyte migration caused by low production of CCL2 and CXCL8, in addition to high levels of IgE associated with high prevalence of allergies. The dysregulation of inflammatory genes and chemokines underscores the importance of understanding the immunological characteristics of CZS. Further investigation into the long-term consequences of systemic inflammation in these children is crucial for developing appropriate therapeutic strategies and tailored vaccination protocols. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zika Virus and Congenital Zika Syndrome)
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7 pages, 282 KiB  
Brief Report
Does the Presence or a High Titer of Yellow Fever Virus Antibodies Interfere with Pregnancy Outcomes in Women with Zika Virus Infection?
by Isa Cristina Ribeiro Piauilino, Raillon Keven dos Santos Souza, Maurício Teixeira Lima, Yanka Karolinna Batista Rodrigues, Luís Felipe Alho da Silva, Ayrton Sena Gouveia, Alexandre Vilhena da Silva Neto, Bárbara Aparecida Chaves, Maria das Graças Costa Alecrim, Camila Helena Aguiar Bôtto de Menezes, Márcia da Costa Castilho, Djane Clarys Baia-da-Silva and Flor Ernestina Martinez Espinosa
Viruses 2023, 15(11), 2244; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15112244 - 11 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1157
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) and yellow fever virus (YFV) originated in Africa and expanded to the Americas, where both are co-circulated. It is hypothesized that in areas of high circulation and vaccination coverage against YFV, children of pregnant women have a lower risk of [...] Read more.
Zika virus (ZIKV) and yellow fever virus (YFV) originated in Africa and expanded to the Americas, where both are co-circulated. It is hypothesized that in areas of high circulation and vaccination coverage against YFV, children of pregnant women have a lower risk of microcephaly. We evaluated the presence and titers of antibodies and outcomes in women who had ZIKV infection during pregnancy. Pregnancy outcomes were classified as severe, moderate, and without any important outcome. An outcome was defined as severe if miscarriage, stillbirth, or microcephaly occurred, and moderate if low birth weight and/or preterm delivery occurred. If none of these events were identified, the pregnancy was defined as having no adverse effects. A sample of 172 pregnant women with an acute ZIKV infection confirmed during pregnancy were collected throughout 2016. About 89% (150 of 169) of them presented immunity against YFV, including 100% (09 of 09) of those who had severe outcomes, 84% (16 of 19) of those who had moderate outcomes, and 89% (125 of 141) of those who had non-outcomes. There was no difference between groups regarding the presence of anti-YFV antibodies (p = 0.65) and YFV titers (p = 0.6). We were unable to demonstrate a protective association between the presence or titers of YFV antibodies and protection against serious adverse outcomes from exposure to ZIKV in utero. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zika Virus and Congenital Zika Syndrome)
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