Radiographic evaluation of dental anomalies in patients with congenital Zika virus syndrome

Abstract: Numerous studies have reported abnormalities in the development of oral structures in congenital infections that also involve microcephaly. In this context, it is necessary to identify possible dental anomalies of shape and/or number in patients with Zika virus syndrome using radiography. The study population consisted of 35 children born with congenital ZIKV who underwent intraoral radiographic examinations for 24 consecutive months. A modified periapical technique was performed in an occlusal position for the maxilla and mandible. Categorical data were expressed as absolute and percentage frequencies and compared using Pearson's Chi-square test, with a 95% confidence interval. Of the entire sample, eight children (22.8%) had dental anomalies of shape and/or number, and four children (11.4%) presented with both anomalies, with agenesis of the upper and lower deciduous/permanent incisors and dental form modifications, such as microdontia and anomalous cusps. When we considered age and sex, there was no statistically significant difference between patients who presented with agenesis and those who presented with modifications. Children with congenital Zika virus syndrome were more likely to have dental modifications in the number and shape of their teeth, and it is essential to implement medium- to long-term monitoring to diagnose other possible alterations throughout the development of the mixed and permanent dentition, favoring their treatment.

Evaluation of the frequency of neuroimaging findings in congenital infection by Zika virus and differences between computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the detection of alterations

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Congenital infection by the Zika virus (ZIKV) is responsible for severe abnormalities in the development of the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the ability of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) to detect patterns of involvement of the central nervous system in congenital ZIKV syndrome. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed CT and MR images from 34 patients with congenital ZIKV syndrome and evaluated the differences between the two methods in detecting alterations. RESULTS: The predominant radiographic finding was a simplified gyral pattern, present in 97% of cases. The second most common finding was the presence of calcifications (94.1%), followed by ventriculomegaly (85.3%), dysgenesis of the corpus callosum (85.3%), craniofacial disproportion and redundant scalp (79.4%), complete opercular opening (79.4%), occipital prominence (44.1%), cerebellar hypoplasia (14.7%), and pontine hypoplasia (11.8%). The gyral pattern was extensively simplified in most cases, and calcifications were located predominantly at the cortical-subcortical junction. CT was able to better identify calcifications (94.1% × 88.2%), while MRI presented better spatial resolution for the characterization of gyral pattern (97% × 94.1%) and corpus callosum dysgenesis (85.3% × 79.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Although congenital ZIKV syndrome does not present pathognomonic neuroimaging findings, some aspects, such as calcifications at the cortical-subcortical junction, especially when associated with compatible clinical and laboratory findings, are suggestive of intrauterine ZIKV infection.

Presumed Zika virus-related congenital brain malformations: the spectrum of CT and MRI findings in fetuses and newborns / Malformações congênitas do encéfalo presumivelmente relacionadas ao Zika vírus: espectro de achados de RM e TC em fetos e neonatos

ABSTRACT The new epidemic of Zika virus infection raises grave concerns, especially with the increasingly-recognized link between emerging cases of microcephaly and this infectious disease. Besides small cranial dimensions, there are striking morphologic anomalies in the fetal brain. Key anomalies include cortical developmental malformations and a peculiar distribution of pathologic calcifications. These potentially indicate a new pattern of congenital central nervous system infection. Methods: Eight women underwent fetal MRI. Four infants also underwent postnatal CT. Five of the women underwent amniocentesis. Results: All neonates were born with microcephaly. On fetal MRI, ventriculomegaly, marked reduction of white matter thickness, severe sylvian fissure simplification, abnormal sulcation, and diffuse volumetric loss of cerebellar hemispheres were consistently seen. On postnatal CT, diffuse subcortical and basal ganglia calcifications were observed. The Zika virus was detected in two amniocenteses by polymerase chain reaction assays. Conclusion: We hope to assist the medical community in recognizing the spectrum of encephalic changes related to congenital Zika virus infection.

RESUMO Os novos casos epidêmicos de infecção pelo vírus Zika suscitam grande preocupação, sobretudo com o crescente reconhecimento da ligação entre casos emergentes de microcefalia e esta doença infecciosa. Além da cabeça de pequenas dimensões, existem profundas alterações morfológicas no encéfalo fetal. Anomalias mais típicas incluem malformações do desenvolvimento cortical e uma distribuição peculiar de calcificações patológicas. Estes dados potencialmente indicam um novo padrão de infecção congênita do sistema nervoso central. Métodos: Oito mulheres foram submetidas a RM fetal. Quatro crianças também realizaram TC pós-natal. Cinco mulheres foram submetidas a amniocentese. Resultados: Todos os neonatos nasceram com microcefalia. Na RM fetal, ventriculomegalia, acentuada redução da espessura da substância branca, acentuada simplificação da fissura sylviana, sulcação anormal e redução volumétrica difusa dos hemisférios cerebelares foram constantes. Na TC pós-natal, calcificações difusas subcorticais e nos núcleos da base foram observadas. O vírus Zika foi detectado por PCR em duas amniocenteses. Conclusão: Esperamos dar suporte à comunidade médica em reconhecer este padrão de imagem potencialmente específico.

Discordant clinical outcomes of congenital Zika virus infection in twin pregnancies / Evolução clínica discordante da infecção congénita do vírus Zika em gestação gemelar

ABSTRACT Congenital Zika syndrome is an emergent cause of a congenital infectious disorder, resulting in severe damage to the central nervous system and microcephaly. Despite advances in understanding the pathophysiology of the disease, we still do not know all the mechanisms enrolled in the vertical transmission of the virus. As has already been reported in other types of congenital infectious disorders in dizygotic twin pregnancies, it is possible that the virus affects only one of the fetuses. In this article, we report on two cases of twin pregnancies exposed to the Zika virus, but with only one of the fetuses affected with microcephaly and brain damage. This indicates the urgent need for more studies regarding the pathophysiology of viral infection and the mechanisms involved in the natural protection against the virus.

RESUMO A síndrome congênita do Zika vírus é uma causa de infecção congênita emergente, resultando em graves danos ao sistema nervoso central e microcefalia. Apesar dos avanços na compreensão da fisiopatologia da doença, ainda não conhecemos todo o mecanismo envolvido na transmissão vertical do vírus. Como já foi relatado em outros tipos de infecções congênitas em gestações gemelares dizigóticas, é possível que apenas um dos fetos seja afetado pelo vírus. Este artigo descreve 2 casos de gestações gemelares expostas ao vírus Zika, onde apenas um dos fetos foi afetado, com microcefalia associado a graves danos no sistema nervoso central. Isso indica a necessidade urgente de mais estudos sobre a fisiopatologia da infecção viral e os mecanismo envolvidos na proteção natural contra o vírus.

Altered intrauterine ultrasound, fetal head circumference growth and neonatal outcomes among suspected cases of congenital Zika syndrome in Brazil / Alterações ultrassonográficas intraútero, crescimento da circunferência cefálica fetal e desfechos neonatais entre casos presumíveis de síndrome da Zika congênita no Brasil

Abstract Objectives: to describe altered intrauterine ultrasound, analyze fetal head circumference (HC) growth and neonates' outcomes among presumed cases of congenital Zika syndrome in Brazil. Methods: 30 women were included in the study with suspected history of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy and fetal's brain altered on ultrasound diagnosis. Sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics, prenatal altered ultrasounds, HC and other perinatal outcomes have been described. The relation between HC and gestational age was analyzed by using random regression effects based on polynomials fractions. The Z test was calculated to determine an instant variant mean rate of the HC for each gestational age. Results: the mean gestational age of the ultrasound diagnosis was 33.3 + 4.7 weeks and HC at birth was 28.9 + 1.6 cm. The main altered brain ultrasound was microcephaly (96.7%). The analysis of the fetal head circumference showed an estimated increase of the average HC, as to gestational age, it did not occur in a linear form. The instant HC variation rate increased according to gestational age (p<0,001). Conclusions: Fetal's main morphological alteration was microcephaly, observing an increase in the head circumference according to gestational age in a non-linear form and the variation decreased with gestational age.

Resumo Objetivos: descrever alterações ultrassonográficas intraútero, analisar o crescimento da circunferência cefálica (CC) fetal e desfechos neonatais entre casos presumíveis de síndrome da Zika congênita no Brasil. Métodos: foram incluídas 30 mulheres com história sugestiva de infecção por Zikavirus (ZIKV) na gestação e diagnóstico ultrassonográfico de alteração cerebral fetal. Foram descritas as características sociodemográficas e obstétricas, alterações ultrassonográficas pré-natal, CC e os resultados perinatais. A relação entre a CC e a idade gestacional foi analisada utilizando-se modelos de regressão de efeitos aleatórios baseados em polinômios fracionais. O teste Z foi calculado para determinar a taxa de variação instantânea da CC média de cada idade gestacional. Resultados: a média da idade gestacional do diagnóstico ultrassonográfico foi de 33,3 + 4,7 semanas e da CC ao nascer foi de 28,9 + 1,6 cm. A principal alteração ultrassonográfica cerebral foi a microcefalia (96,7%). A análise da circunferência cefálica fetal demonstrou que o aumento da estimativa da CC média segundo a idade gestacional ocorreu de forma não linear. Observou-se ainda que a taxa de variação instantânea da CC aumentou segundo a idade gestacional (p<0,001). Conclusões: a principal alteração morfológica fetal foi a microcefalia, observando um crescimento da circunferência cefálica segundo a idade gestacional de forma não linear e que a variação diminui com a idade gestacional.

Infección por virus zika en el embarazo y microcefalia / zika virus infection, pregnancy and microcephaly

Los vectores son organismos vivos que pueden transmitir enfermedades infecciosas. Los mosquitos son los vectores de enfermedades mejor conocidos. El objetivo de esta revisión es realizar una revisión actualizada sobre la enfermedad transmitida por el virus zika. Las alteraciones inmunitarias y hormonales que tienen lugar durante el embarazo hacen que las infecciones sean más graves. La infección intrauterina puede provocar la muerte del feto, aborto espontáneo y parto de feto muerto. Además, puede interferir en el desarrollo del feto, provocar lesiones u originar malformaciones congénitas en el cerebro (cerebro pequeño, etc.) entre otras. La infección por el virus zika es una enfermedad correlacionada con la picadura del Aedes aegypti o Aedes albopictus. Para la transmisión de la enfermedad deben estar presentes simultáneamente: el virus, el vector y el hospedero susceptible. La Organización Mundial de la Salud ha emitido una alerta epidemiológica contra el virus zika por la relación con el aumento de recién nacidos con microcefalia. Ante esta situación, esta institución refuerza las recomendaciones previas emitidas sobre enfermedades transmitidas por el mismo vector tales como dengue, chikungunya y zika. Urge a los estados miembros en los que circula el mosquito Aedes que continúen con sus esfuerzos para implementar una estrategia efectiva de comunicación con la población para reducir la densidad del vector.

Vectors are living organisms which may transmit infectious disease. Mosquitoes are the best known infectious disease vectors. The purpose of the study is to carry out an updated review about disease caused by the zika virus. Immune and hormone disorders occurring during pregnancy enhance the severity of infection. Intrauterine infection may result in fetal death, spontaneous abortion or stillbirth. It may also interfere with fetal development, cause lesions or bring about congenital malformations of the brain (small brain, etc.) among other effects. zika virus infection is a disease caused by the bite of Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. In order for transmission to occur, three factors should be present simultaneously: the virus, the vector and a susceptible host. The World Health Organization has issued an epidemiological alert against the zika virus, due to its relationship to an increase in the number of babies born with microcephaly. In view of this situation, WHO has reinforced previous recommendations about diseases transmitted by the same vector, such as dengue, chikungunya and zika. Member states with circulation of Aedes mosquitoes are urged to carry on their efforts to implement an effective communication strategy aimed at reducing the density of the vector.