High-Risk Areas for Congenital Zika Syndrome in Rio de Janeiro: Spatial Cluster Detection.

Brazil reported 18,282 suspected congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) cases up to 2018 and accounts for 61.4% of the total reported Zika cases in the Americas in the period. To detect high-risk areas for children with CZS in the city of Rio de Janeiro, we used cluster detection and thematic maps. We analyzed data using a Poisson model in Satscan 10.1.3 software. We also analyzed the records of children with CZS from 2015 to 2016 to describe the clinical and epidemiological maternal and child profile, as well as live births in 2016 and the social development index (SDI) by neighborhood. In 2015 and 2016, the incidence rates of CZS were 8.84 and 46.96 per 100,000 live births in the city, respectively. Severe congenital findings such as microcephaly and brain damage, osteoarticular impairment, ocular abnormalities, and hearing loss were observed in 47 children. The spatial distribution of CZS was concentrated in the north and west zones in heterogeneous neighborhoods. The neighborhoods with the highest occurrence of CZS cases were found to have the worst SDIs. Stascan detected three spatial clusters in the north zone, where the SDI is lower. The clusters presented high relative risks for CZS (7.86, 1.46, and 2.08), although they were not statistically significant. Our findings highlight a higher occurrence of CZS in areas with less favorable socioeconomic conditions.

Encoding of speech sounds with frequency-following response in infants with Congenital Zika Syndrome: A case-controlled study

ABSTRACT Purpose: to investigate the frequency-following response (FFR) for sustained neural activity. Methods: 39 individuals, aged between 20 to 47 months old were divided into 2 groups: (i) 20 individuals without prenatal exposure to the congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) or hydrocephaly, normal development, no risk factors for hearing loss or syndromic hearing impairment and (ii) 19 individuals diagnosed with CZS and microcephaly - based on imaging studies linked to the clinical presentation of the condition. All participants exhibited normal click-ABR tests. FFR waveforms were documented using the /da/ syllable employing the Navigator Pro. The statistical analysis used was ANOVA (p-value <0.05). Results: no distinctions were observed concerning the variables of group, age, or gender with respect to FFR latency values, except for an interaction between gender and group for latency values associated with waves V and F. Children with CZS and microcephaly showed a difference for latency values in wave V for both males and females, when compared to the control group. Conclusion: children presented with CZS and microcephaly showed higher average latencies for waves V, A, C, D and F (male) compared to the control group, whereas, in waves E, F (female) and O they showed higher values in the control group.

Vacina contra zika: desenvolvimento, agenciamentos e controvérsias sociotécnicas / Zika vaccine: development, assemblages, and sociotechnical controversies

Resumo O ensaio teórico discute as controvérsias sobre o desenvolvimento da vacina contra a zika, evidenciando as negociações que envolvem as escolhas técnico-científicas e os efeitos da definição do "perfil do produto alvo da vacina" (TPP) para uso somente no cenário emergencial. São propostas três perspectivas de análise em diálogo com os Estudos Sociais da Ciência: os fluxos de estabelecimento de normativas pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS), as narrativas publicadas em revistas especializadas e de um grupo de entrevistados. Concluímos que os termos de definição do TPP ajudaram a constituir a política ontológica da OMS, implicando: exposição, responsabilização e culpabilização de mulheres pela prevenção da síndrome congênita da zika; instituição de certas estratégias de vacinação; invisibilização de outros cenários possíveis; maior espaço de aceitação de determinadas plataformas; ampliação das desigualdades globais. Tal política ontológica engendrou uma potente racionalidade emergencial que distinguiu a vacina da necessidade social da vacinação, empurrando a última para a invisibilidade.

Abstract The theoretical essay discusses the controversies about the zika vaccine development, highlighting negotiations which involve technical-scientific choices and the effects of defining the Vaccine Target Product Profile (TPP) for use only in the emergency scenario. Three perspectives of analysis are presented aligned with the Social Studies of Science: the flows of normative establishment provided by the World Health Organization (WHO), the narratives published in specialized journals and the discuss of a group of interviewees. We conclude that the definition terms of TPP supported the establishment of the WHO ontological policy, implying in exposure, accountability and culpability of women for the prevention of Congenital Zika Syndrome; definition of certain vaccination strategies; making other possible scenarios invisible; greater acceptance of certain platforms; widening global inequalities. Such an ontological policy engendered a potent emergency rationality that distinguished the vaccine from the social need for vaccination, pushing the second one towards invisibility.

Síndrome congênita do Zika vírus: o papel da atenção primária e da rede de saúde / Congenital Zika virus syndrome: the role of primary health care and healthcare network

Resumo O artigo objetiva compreender a rede de atenção e os desafios que as crianças com síndrome congênita do Zika vírus (SCZ) e seus cuidadores enfrentam para garantir o cuidado integral. Trata-se de estudo qualitativo, parte de pesquisa desenvolvida no Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, que acompanhou 151 crianças com suspeita para SCZ. Foram realizados dois grupos focais, um com trabalhadores de saúde e outro com cuidadores. As crianças com SCZ percorrem longas distâncias, frequentando diversos serviços da rede. Observou-se a dificuldade de condução e de reconhecimento do papel de equipe de referência da APS, resultando em um cuidado fracionado, com obstáculos à comunicação entre serviços e ausência de atenção às cuidadoras. Percebeu-se uma rede fragilizada, com encontros fragmentados e olhar reduzido. É fundamental que os esforços priorizem o fortalecimento do vínculo entre os nós da rede de atenção e apoio. Os atributos essenciais e derivados da APS são determinantes para a rede de serviços e a oferta de cuidados às crianças com a SCZ e seus familiares.

Abstract The article aims to understand the care network and the challenges that children with congenital Zika virus syndrome (CZS) and their caregivers face to ensure comprehensive care. This is a qualitative study, part of research carried out at the Hospital das Clínicas of the Federal University of Pernambuco, which followed 151 children suspected of having CZS. Two focus groups were carried out, one with health workers and the other with caregivers. Children with CZS travel long distances, attending various network services. Difficulty in conducting and recognizing the role of the PHC reference team was observed, resulting in fractional care, with obstacles to communication between services and lack of attention to caregivers. A fragile network was perceived, with fragmented meetings and a reduced look. It is fundamental that the efforts prioritize the strengthening of the bond between the nodes of the care and support network. The essential and derivative attributes of PHC are crucial for the network of services and the provision of care for children with CZS and their families.

Characterization of linguistic development of children affected by congenital Zika virus syndrome as compared to typically developing peers / Caracterização do desenvolvimento infantil e linguístico de crianças acometidas da Síndrome Congênita do Zika Vírus comparadas com crianças de desenvolvimento típico

ABSTRACT Purpose: to describe the development, focusing on language, of children affected by congenital Zika syndrome and compare it with that of typically developing children. Methods: a quantitative, observational, cross-sectional, case-control study. Data from the group of children with congenital Zika virus syndrome (case) were matched for sex and age with data from the group of typically developing children without comorbidities (control). The research included 20 parents/guardians of the children in the case group and 20 parents/guardians of the children in the control group, using interview as an adapted instrument. The data underwent descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, through association tests and comparison of means, with the significance level set at 5%. Results: there was a statistical difference in motor, auditory, and language development between the groups, according to the parents' perception. Conclusion: Based on the caregivers' reports, most of the case group communicated non-verbally through babbling, shouting, and eye contact, whereas the minority communicated through dialogue, understood simple orders, and performed imitative behaviors, symbolic play, and shared attention. On the other hand, the control group communicated through complex sentences constructed into narratives.

RESUMO Objetivo: descrever o desenvolvimento infantil, com enfoque na linguagem, de crianças acometidas da síndrome congênita do Zika e compará-lo com o de crianças com desenvolvimento típico. Métodos: trata-se de um estudo observacional, transversal, do tipo caso-controle, e de natureza quantitativa. Os dados do grupo de crianças com Síndrome Congênita do Zika vírus (caso) foram pareados por sexo e idade com os dados do grupo de crianças sem comorbidades e desenvolvimento típico (controle). Participaram da pesquisa, 20 responsáveis pelas crianças do grupo caso e 20 pelas crianças do grupo controle e o instrumento utilizado foi uma entrevista adaptada. Os dados foram examinados por meio de uma análise estatística descritiva e inferencial por meio de testes de associação e de comparação de médias, com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: foi observada diferença estatística entre os grupos estudados, referente ao desenvolvimento infantil, no âmbito motor, auditivo e de linguagem, com base na percepção dos pais. Conclusão: diante das informações dos cuidadores, a comunicação da maioria do grupo caso ocorre de forma não verbal por meio de gorjeios, gritos e contato visual; e a minoria comunica-se por diálogo, compreende ordens simples, realiza condutas imitativas, brincar simbólico e tem atenção compartilhada. Diferentemente, o grupo controle comunica-se por meio de frases complexas presentes em narrativas.

Evaluation of the quality of prenatal care in Colombia during the 2016 Zika outbreak in endemic and non-endemic areas / Evaluación de la calidad del cuidado prenatal en Colombia durante la epidemia de Zika en el 2016 en regiones endémicas y no endémicas

Objetive: To evaluate the quality of prenatal care during the outbreak of Zika virus infection in endemic and non-endemic vector-borne regions in Colombia. Materials and methods: A descriptive study of prenatal care supplemented by interviews to explore personal experiences during the epidemic. A total of 40 pregnant women in endemic areas and 44 in nonendemic areas participated. Information collected included previous pregnancies, reasons for starting prenatal care, information about Zika, prenatal care (activities of doctors, nurses, laboratories, and images), and perceptions of quality. Then, 8 interviews were conducted with pregnant women diagnosed with Zika. Questioned about knowledge of Zika and the quality of medical care services. Results: Problems with laboratories and diagnostic images were found in both regions and dehumanizing treatment in the endemic region. Women from the endemic region received news and communications about the effects of Zika during pregnancy, causing anxiety and fear among some women. The quality of health care was not what the women expected and they thought they would receive more care from doctors and nurses. Discussion: Our findings show deficiencies in education provided in health institutions. The experience during prenatal control in the endemic regions was imprecise and the information came from other sources, different from the health sector. Adittionally, support and follow-up was deficient as well. It's possible that health professionals have few knowledge about information management, which generated confusion, fear and uncertainty among the pregnant women about the adverse effects on the newborns. Conclusions: Findings suggest deficiencies in the technical quality of the prenatal care provided, particularly in the region that was endemic for vector-borne diseases. Reproductive health services and the technical quality of prenatal care need to be strengthened, especially during a sanitary crisis.

Objetivo: Evaluar la calidad de la atención prenatal durante la epidemia de Zika en regiones endémicas y no endémicas de infecciones trasmitidas por vectores en Colombia. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de la atención prenatal complementado con entrevistas, con el fin de explorar experiencias personales durante la epidemia. Participaron 40 gestantes en zona endémica y 44 en no endémicas. La información recolectada incluyó embarazos previos, razones para iniciar control prenatal, información sobre Zika, control prenatal (actividades de médicos, enfermeras, laboratorios e imágenes) y percepción de calidad. Luego se realizaron 8 entrevistas a gestantes con diagnóstico de Zika. Se interrogó sobre conocimiento del Zika y calidad de los servicios de atención médica. Resultados: Se encontraron problemas con laboratorios e imágenes diagnósticas en ambas regiones y trato deshumanizado en la región endémica. Las gestantes en la región endémica recibieron noticias y comunicados sobre los efectos de Zika durante el embarazo, lo que causó ansiedad y miedo en algunas mujeres. La calidad de la atención medica no era la deseada y pensaron que recibirían mejor atención de médicos y enfermeras. Discusión: Nuestros hallazgos demuestran educación deficiente en las instituciones de salud. La experiencia durante el control prenatal en las regiones endémicas fue imprecisa y venía de fuentes diferentes al sector salud. Además, el soporte y seguimiento fue deficiente. Es probable que el personal de salud tenga poco conocimiento sobre cómo manejar la información, lo cual generó confusión, miedo e incertidumbre entre las gestantes sobre los efectos adversos en los bebes. Conclusiones: Los hallazgos sugieren deficiencia en la calidad técnica de la atención prenatal, particularmente en la región endémica. Es necesario fortalecer los servicios de salud reproductiva y la calidad técnica de la atención prenatal, especialmente durante crisis sanitaria.

Prevalence of sleep disorders in children with Congenital Zika Syndrome.

Studies have reported that children with Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) experience changes in their sleep patterns, which can result in mood disturbances, behavioral issues and delays in growth and development. This systematic review synthesized the available evidence on the prevalence of sleep disorders in children with CZS. Eligible studies were those with an observational design that reported sleep disorders in children with CZS using validated questionnaires, polysomnography/electroencephalographic recording or parent/caregiver reports. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS and Embase, as well as a gray literature search using Google Scholar. The Freeman-Tukey double-arcsine transformation with a random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of sleep disorders with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Five studies were included and data from 340 Brazilian children with CZS were analyzed. The overall prevalence of sleep disorders was 27.4% (95% CI 16.7-39.4), without differences among studies using validated questionnaires (29.4%, 95% CI 21.4-37.8) or report from parents and caregivers (27.4%, 95% CI 11.5-47.0). Sleep disorders are prevalent in children with CZS, impacting their development and quality of life. It is critical to examine the quality of sleep in these children to develop appropriate interventions that can mitigate these issues.

The article discusses a systematic review of studies that have explored the prevalence of sleep disorders in children with Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS), a condition caused by the Zika virus. The study found that children with CZS often experience changes in their sleep patterns, which can lead to mood disturbances, behavioral issues and delays in growth and development. The review included five studies with a total of 340 Brazilian children with CZS, and the overall prevalence of sleep disorders was found to be 27.4%. This indicates that sleep disorders are prevalent in children with CZS and can significantly impact their development and quality of life. The authors suggest that further research is needed to develop appropriate interventions to mitigate these issues.

A Birth Cohort Follow-Up Study on Congenital Zika Virus Infection in Vietnam.

We assessed the development, sensory status, and brain structure of children with congenital Zika virus (ZIKV) infection (CZI) at two years and preschool age. CZI was defined as either ZIKV RNA detection or positive ZIKV IgM and neutralization test in the cord or neonatal blood. Twelve children with CZI born in 2017-2018 in Vietnam, including one with Down syndrome, were assessed at 23-25.5 months of age, using Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3), ASQ:Social-Emotional (ASQ:SE-2), Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, automated auditory brainstem response (AABR), and Spot Vision Screener (SVS). They underwent brain CT and MRI. They had detailed ophthalmological examinations, ASQ-3, and ASQ:SE-2 at 51-62 months of age. None had birthweight or head circumference z-score < -3 except for the one with Down syndrome. All tests passed AABR (n = 10). No ophthalmological problems were detected by SVS (n = 10) and detailed examinations (n = 6), except for a girl's astigmatism. Communication and problem-solving domains in a boy at 24 months, gross-motor area in a boy, and gross-motor and fine-motor areas in another boy at 59-61 months were in the referral zone. Brain CT (n = 8) and MRI (n = 6) revealed no abnormalities in the cerebrum, cerebellum, or brainstem other than cerebellar hypoplasia with Down syndrome. The CZI children were almost age-appropriately developed with no brain or eye abnormalities. Careful and longer follow-up is necessary for children with CZI.

Investigation of the impact of AXL, TLR3, and STAT2 in congenital Zika syndrome through genetic polymorphisms and protein-protein interaction network analyses.

INTRODUCTION: Zika virus (ZIKV) is a human teratogen that causes congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). AXL, TLR3, and STAT2 are proteins involved in the ZIKV's entry into cells (AXL) and host's immune response (TLR3 and STAT2). In this study, we evaluated the role of genetic polymorphisms in these three genes as risk factors to CZS, and highlighted which proteins that interact with them could be important for ZIKV infection and teratogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluate eighty-eight children exposed to ZIKV during the pregnancy, 40 with CZS and 48 without congenital anomalies. The evaluated polymorphisms in AXL (rs1051008), TLR3 (rs3775291), and STAT2 (rs2066811) were genotyped using TaqMan® Genotyping Assays. A protein-protein interaction network was created in STRING database and analyzed in Cytoscape software. RESULTS: We did not find any statistical significant association among the polymorphisms and the occurrence of CZS. Through the analyses of the network composed by AXL, TLR3, STAT2 and their interactions targets, we found that EGFR and SRC could be important proteins for the ZIKV infection and its teratogenesis. CONCLUSION: In summary, our results demonstrated that the evaluated polymorphisms do not seem to represent risk factors for CZS; however, EGFR and SRC appear to be important proteins that should be investigated in future studies.

Downregulation of Microcephaly-Causing Genes as a Mechanism for ZIKV Teratogenesis: A Meta-analysis of RNA-Seq Studies.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a neurotropic teratogen that causes congenital Zika syndrome (CZS), characterized by brain and eye anomalies. Impaired gene expression in neural cells after ZIKV infection has been demonstrated; however, there is a gap in the literature of studies comparing whether the differentially expressed genes in such cells are similar and how it can cause CZS. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the differential gene expression (DGE) after ZIKV infection in neural cells through a meta-analysis approach. Through the GEO database, studies that evaluated DGE in cells exposed to the Asian lineage of ZIKV versus cells, of the same type, not exposed were searched. From the 119 studies found, five meet our inclusion criteria. Raw data of them were retrieved, pre-processed, and evaluated. The meta-analysis was carried out by comparing seven datasets, from these five studies. We found 125 upregulated genes in neural cells, mainly interferon-stimulated genes, such as IFI6, ISG15, and OAS2, involved in the antiviral response. Furthermore, 167 downregulated, involved with cellular division. Among these downregulated genes, classic microcephaly-causing genes stood out, such as CENPJ, ASPM, CENPE, and CEP152, demonstrating a possible mechanism by which ZIKV impairs brain development and causes CZS.

Epidemiological evidence of acute transmission of Zika virus infection in dengue suspected patients in Sri-Lanka.

BACKGROUND: Zika Virus (ZIKV) is a re-emerging, arthropod-borne flavivirus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus). The coexistence of dengue virus (DENV) and ZIKV concurrently has been associated with a wide array of neurological complications, which may influence the clinical outcomes of infections. Sri Lanka witnessed a severe dengue epidemic in 2017, characterized by extraordinary and severe disease manifestations with considerable morbidity. Therefore, this study assessed the potential occurrence of ZIKV infection during DENV outbreak in Sri Lanka from 2017 to 2019, which could bear substantial implications for public health. METHODS: Five hundred ninety-five serum samples were procured from individuals suspected of dengue and admitted to Kandy National Hospital between 2017 and 2018 and the Negombo District General Hospital between 2018 and 2019. These samples underwent quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) to identify the presence of the ZIKV gene, while enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to detect ZIKV-specific IgM and IgG antibodies. Focus reduction neutralization tests were subsequently conducted to confirm ZIKV infection. RESULTS: Among the 595 serum samples, 6 (1.0%) tested positive for ZIKV using qRT-PCR. Anti-ZIKV IgM and IgG were identified in 18.0% and 38.6% patients. Sixty-six (11.0%) samples demonstrated the presence of anti-ZIKV IgM and IgG. Within ZIKV IgM-positive samples, 2.2% exhibited neutralizing antibodies against ZIKV. Through the implementation of qRT-PCR, ZIKV IgM detection, and neutralization testing, 2% and 3.7% cases of ZIKV infections were confirmed in the Kandy and Negombo regions, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study is the inaugural endeavor to substantiate the existence of ZIKV infection in Sri Lanka utilizing molecular and serological analysis. The findings of this investigation imply that ZIKV was circulating throughout the 2017-2019 DENV outbreak. These results underscore the necessity for improved preparedness for future outbreaks, fortifying governmental policies on public health, and establishing effective early warning systems regarding the emergence of these viruses.

Desarrollo y validación de un método de suspensión basado en células Vero para la detección del virus Zika / Development and validation of a vero cell-based suspension method for the detection of Zika virus

Objetivo . Desarrollar y validar un método de suspensión celular utilizando células Vero 76 para el cultivo del virus Zika (ZIKV) basado en la infección de células recién sembradas no adheridas. Material y métodos . Se utilizaron tres multiplicidades de infección diferentes del ZIKV para desarrollar y comparar este novedoso método con el método estándar de monocapa de células confluentes. Además, validamos preliminarmente el método de suspensión utilizando muestras clínicas caracterizadas como positivas o negativas para el ZIKV. El método estándar de monocapa se utilizó como método de referencia, y el aislamiento viral se confirmó mediante un RT-PCR específico del ZIKV. Se estimó la sensibilidad e intervalos de confianza del 95% para el método de suspensión. Asimismo, se realizó una comparación técnica del método de suspensión contra el método de monocapa. Resultados . Nuestros hallazgos sugieren que tanto la carga viral como la replicación del ZIKV fueron comparables entre los métodos de infección en monocapa y en suspensión. Aunque ambos métodos fueron adecuados para cultivar y aislar el ZIKV, el método de suspensión se caracterizó por ser más fácil, barato y rápido, así como una técnica de aislamiento sensible. En comparación con el método de monocapa, el método de suspensión fue cuatro veces más sensible en la detección del ZIKV en casos inconclusos por RT-PCR. Conclusiones . El método de suspensión tiene el potencial de ser un método eficaz para cultivar y aislar el ZIKV y su uso es potencialmente útil tanto en la investigación como en entornos clínicos.

Objective. To develop and validate a cell suspension method using Vero 76 cells for culturing Zika virus (ZIKV) based on infection of detached freshly seeded cells. Material and methods. Three different multiplicities of infection of ZIKV were used to develop and compare this novel method to the standard confluent cell monolayer method. In addition, we preliminary validated the cell suspension method using well-characterized ZIKV positive and negative clinical samples. The standard confluent cell monolayer method was used as the reference method, and viral isolation was confirmed by a ZIKV-specific RT-PCR. The sensitivity and its 95% confidence intervals for the cell suspension method were estimated. Also, a technical comparison of the cell suspension method against the cell monolayer method was performed. Results. Our findings suggested that both the viral load and replication of ZIKV were comparable between both monolayer- and suspension-infection methods. Although both methods were suitable for culturing and isolating ZIKV, the cell suspension method was easier, cheaper, and quicker as well as a sensitive isolation technique. The cell suspension method was significantly more sensitive in detecting Zika in inconclusive cases by RT-PCR, with a fourfold increase compared to the confluent cell monolayer method. Conclusion. The cell suspension method has the potential to be an effective method for cultivating and isolating ZIKV and its application is potentially useful in both research and clinical settings.

Evaluación del neurodesarrollo en niños con exposición intrauterina al virus del Zika: estudio observacional transversal / Developmental assessment of children with intrauterine exposure to Zika virus: cross-sectional observational study

El virus del Zika produce desenlaces adversos para el desarrollo del sistema nervioso. Este estudio describe el neurodesarrollo cognitivo, adaptativo, comunicativo, social y motor de niños expuestos intrauterinamente al virus del Zika y hace una evaluación del neurodesarrollo con la escala de Battelle a los tres años después del nacimiento. Participaron 30 niños con una media de edad al momento de la evaluación de 37,5 (RIC: 35,7-39,2) meses. Se halló una edad equivalente en meses en las áreas: motora 25,8 (DE: 7,8), adaptativa 26,7 (DE: 5,8), comunicativa 30,2 (DE: 6,9), personal social 33,5 (DE: 8,3) y cognitiva 35,6 (DE: 5,9). Los niños presentaron retraso en el desarrollo para la edad cronológica, 25 niños presentaban retraso en una de las cinco áreas evaluadas. Una alta proporción de niños expuestos al virus del Zika durante la gestación presentaron retraso en el desarrollo, principalmente en el dominio adaptativo y motor.

Zika virus infection affects the development of the nervous system. This study describes the cognitive, adaptative, communicative, social and motor neurodevelopment of children exposed to Zika virus in utero. We used the Batelle scale to assess neurodevelopment three years after birth. Thirty children were included, who had a mean age at evaluation of 37.5 (IQR: 35.7-39.2) months. We found the following equivalent ages in months for each area: motor 25.8 (SD: 7.8), adaptive 26.7 (SD: 5.8), communicative 30.2 (SD: 6.9), social personal 33.5 (SD: 8.3) and cognitive 35.6 (SD: 5.9). Children showed development delay for their chronological age, 25 children were delayed in one of the five areas assessed. A high rate of children exposed to Zika virus during gestation presented delayed developmental age, mainly regarding the adaptive and motor areas.

The prevalence of IGM antibodies to Zika virus in pregnant women in Northern Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy can result in severe outcomes for both the pregnant woman and the developing fetus. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Zika virus infection among pregnant women who sought healthcare services at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum samples were collected and analyzed using Enzyme Linked Immunoassay and RT-qPCR methods, while a structured questionnaire was used to gather relevant information about the participants. RESULTS: The results showed that 53 out of the 180 pregnant women tested positive for Anti-Zika IgM antibodies, which represents a 29.4% prevalence rate. Subsequent RT-qPCR analysis found that only 6 out of the 53 positive samples contained Zika virus RNA. Fever and headache were the most commonly reported symptoms related to the infection. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate a potential outbreak of Zika fever in Northern Nigeria emphasizing the importance for pregnant women to take precautions to avoid getting infected.

Impetrações judiciais de mães de crianças com síndrome congênita do vírus zika: das motivações aos desfechos / Impetracciones judiciales de madres de personas menores con síndrome congénito del virus zika: De las motivaciones a los resultados / Judicial impetractions of mothers of children with congenital zika virus syndrome: From motivations to outcomes

Introdução: As famílias de crianças com Síndrome Congênita do Zika (SCZ) convivem com dificuldades para suprir suas necessidades de saúde, portanto acionam o poder judiciário para gozar do seu direito à saúde. Objetivo: Apreender as principais motivações das impetrações judiciais requeridas por mães de crianças com SCZ e seus desfechos. Metodologia: Estudo exploratório documental com abordagem qualitativa, realizado no sítio eletrônico JusBrasil e coleta procedida em março de 2020. Foram incluídas 15 impetrações judiciais publicadas entre janeiro de 2016 e junho de 2019. A análise lexical através do software IRaMuTeQ e a análise de conteúdo temática foram realizadas. Resultados: O acesso às tecnologias assistivas é a principal motivação para impetrações judiciais, com vistas a assegurar melhora no desenvolvimento da criança e consequente independência da criança. As decisões judiciais beneficiaram as crianças com SCZ, fundamentadas no direito à saúde, direito à vida e proteção, e o direito de ir e vir. Conclusão: Para mitigar os impactos da judicialização da saúde as autoridades sanitárias e judiciárias podem investir em melhor vigilância e monitoramento dos fatores de risco e morbidades; rigor nos protocolos sanitários que envolvem migração de pessoas em zonas fronteiriças; ofertas de condições ambientais e de moradia dignas; realização de cuidados preventivos com destaque para a eficiência da imunização; além da organização e funcionamento de uma rede de atenção à saúde eficaz com abordagem interdisciplinar.

Introducción: Las familias de personas menores con síndrome de zika congénito (SZC) viven con dificultades para satisfacer sus necesidades de salud, por lo que hacen un llamado al Poder Judicial para gozar de este derecho. Objetivo: Conocer las principales motivaciones de las demandas presentadas por madres de niños y niñas con SZC y sus desenlaces. Metodología: Estudio documental exploratorio con enfoque cualitativo, realizado en el sitio web de JusBrasil y recogido en marzo de 2020. Se incluyeron 15 juicios publicados entre enero de 2016 y junio de 2019 en JusBrasil. Se realizó el análisis léxico a través del software IRaMuTeQ y el análisis de contenido temático. Resultados: El acceso a las tecnologías asistenciales es la principal motivación de las demandas, con el fin de asegurar la mejora en el desarrollo de la persona menor y su consecuente independencia. Las decisiones judiciales beneficiaron a niñas y niños con SZC, basadas en los derechos a la salud, a la vida y protección y a ir y venir. Conclusiones: Para mitigar los impactos de la judicialización en salud, las autoridades sanitarias y judiciales pueden invertir en una mejor vigilancia y seguimiento de los factores de riesgo y morbilidades, rigor en los protocolos sanitarios que implican la migración de personas en zonas fronterizas, ofrecer condiciones ambientales y habitacionales dignas, realizar cuidados preventivos, con énfasis en la eficiencia de la inmunización, además de la organización y operación de una red de atención de salud efectiva con enfoque interdisciplinario.

Introduction: Families of children with Congenital Zika Syndrome (CSZ) live with difficulties to meet their health needs; therefore, they resort to the law system in order claim their right to health. Objective: To apprehend the main motivations and outcomes of the lawsuits filed by mothers of children with CSZ. Methodology: Exploratory documentary study with a qualitative approach carried out on the JusBrasil website and collected in March 2020. The study included 15 lawsuits published between January 2016 and June 2019 in JusBrasil. A lexical analysis through the IRaMuTeQ software and a thematic content analysis were performed. Results: The access to assistive technologies is the main motivation for the lawsuits; these are issued with the objective to ensure improvement in the child's development and further independence of the child. Court decisions benefited children with CSZ based on the right to health, the right to life and protection, and the right to come and go. Conclusion: To mitigate the impacts of health judicialization, health and judicial authorities can invest in better surveillance and monitoring of the risk factors and morbidities, strictness in the health protocols that involve migration of people in border areas, offering of decent environmental and housing conditions, execution of preventive care with emphasis on the efficiency of immunization, as well as the organization and execution of an effective health care network with an interdisciplinary approach.

Zika Virus affects neurobehavioral development, and causes oxidative stress associated to blood-brain barrier disruption in a rat model of congenital infection.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus associated with several neurodevelopmental outcomes after in utero infection. Here, we studied a congenital ZIKV infection model with immunocompetent Wistar rats, able to predict disabilities and that could pave the way for proposing new effective therapies. We identified neurodevelopmental milestones disabilities in congenital ZIKV animals. Also, on 22nd postnatal day (PND), blood-brain barrier (BBB) proteins disturbances were detected in the hippocampus with immunocontent reduction of ß_Catenin, Occludin and Conexin-43. Besides, oxidative stress imbalance on hippocampus and cortex were identified, without neuronal reduction in these structures. In conclusion, even without pups' microcephaly-like phenotype, congenital ZIKV infection resulted in neurobehavioral dysfunction associated with BBB and oxidative stress disturbances in young rats. Therefore, our findings highlighted the multiple impact of the congenital ZIKV infection on the neurodevelopment, which reinforces the continuity of studies to understand the spectrum of this impairment and to provide support to future treatment development for patients affected by congenital ZIKV.

Fiebre de origen desconocido como forma de presentación de fiebre chikungunya en varón joven

La fiebre chikungunya es una enfermedad viral descrita por primera vez en 1952. Actualmente se informan brotes esporádicos de fiebre chikungunya a nivel país (abril 2022). Presentamos el caso de un varón joven con fiebre chikungunya en fase subaguda la cual se presentó al ingreso hospitalario como fiebre de origen desconocido.

Chikungunya fever is a viral disease first described in 1952. Sporadic outbreaks of chikungunya fever are currently reported nationwide (April 2022). We present the case of a young man with chikungunya fever in the subacute phase which presented at hospital admission as fever of unknown origin.

Electrochemical magneto-immunoassay for detection of zika virus antibody in human serum.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a flavivirus transmitted by infected Aedes genus mosquitoes. An infected person may be asymptomatic or present symptoms such as fever, arthralgia, and in pregnancy it may lead to neurological disorders in the fetus, such as microcephaly. Based on the high dissemination potential of ZIVK and its similar antigen composition to other arboviruses, new approaches for selective virus detection are urgently needed. This work reports the development of an electrochemical immunoassay for detection of anti-ZIKV antibodies, using magnetic beads functionalized with recombinant protein derived from the non-structural protein 1 (ΔNS1-ZIKV) and anti-IgG antibodies labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme. The magneto-immunoassay uses disposable microfluidic devices for detection of anti-ZIKV in serum samples. A linear response was obtained for a wide concentration range from 0.01 to 9.80 × 105 pg mL-1 (r2 = 0.982), with a limit of detection of 0.48 pg mL-1. The proposed immunoassay proved to be highly efficient for the detection of anti-ZIKV antibodies in serum, offering promising perspectives for the development of fast, simple, and affordable point-of-care diagnosis devices for ZIKV.

Transmission of Asian Zika Lineage by Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus Mosquitoes in Florida.

The Asian lineage of Zika virus (ZIKV), a mosquito-borne pathogen originally from Africa, caused an epidemic into Brazil in 2015 and subsequently spread throughout the Americas. Local transmission in the U.S. is a public health concern, especially for Florida where the mosquito vectors Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus are widespread, abundant, and there is a high potential for virus introduction due to imported cases. Here we evaluate relative susceptibility to infection and transmission of Zika virus among geographic populations of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus in Florida. Both species have been implicated as ZIKV vectors elsewhere, but both virus and vector genotype are known to influence transmission capacities and, hence, the risk of outbreaks. We test the hypothesis that Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus show geographic differences in midgut and salivary gland barriers that limit ZIKV transmission, using local populations of the two vector species recently colonized from three regions of Florida to compare their susceptibility to ZIKV infection, disseminated infection, and transmission potential. Susceptibility to infection was higher in Ae. aegypti (range 76-92%) than Ae. albopictus (range 47-54%). Aedes aegypti exhibited 33-44% higher susceptibility to infection than Ae. albopictus, with Ae. aegypti from Okeechobee, FL having 17% higher susceptibility to infection than Ae. aegypti from Miami, FL. Similarly, disseminated infection was higher in Ae. aegypti (range 87-89%) than Ae. albopictus (range 31-39%), although did not vary by region. Enhanced infection and disseminated infection in Ae. aegypti were associated with higher viral loads in mosquito samples than in Ae. albopictus. Transmission rates did not vary by species or region (range 26-47%). The results support the hypothesis that Ae. aegypti, but not Ae. albopictus, exhibited regional differences in midgut infection barriers. Our observation of higher vector competence for Ae. aegypti than Ae. albopictus, together with this species greater propensity to feed on humans, lends support to the notion that Ae. aegypti is regarded as the primary vector for ZIKV and public health concern in continental U.S.