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Zika Virus Infectious Cell Culture System and the In Vitro Prophylactic Effect of Interferons
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Zika Virus Infectious Cell Culture System and the In Vitro Prophylactic Effect of Interferons

Published on: August 23, 2016

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Fatal encephalitis associated with Zika virus infection in an adult

Cristiane N Soares1, Patrícia Brasil2, Raquel Medialdea Carrera3

  • 1Hospital Federal dos Servidores do Estado, Neurology Service, Rua Sacadura Cabral 176, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Journal of Clinical Virology : the Official Publication of the Pan American Society for Clinical Virology
|September 7, 2016
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Zika virus (ZIKV) caused a fatal encephalitis case in a non-pregnant woman during Brazil's 2016 epidemic. This aggressive neurological complication led to brain death, highlighting ZIKV's potential severity.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Virology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Zika virus (ZIKV) emerged in the Americas in 2015, linked to microcephaly and other neurological issues like Guillain Barré syndrome.
  • ZIKV infections can manifest as exanthematous illnesses, with neurological complications becoming increasingly recognized.

Observation:

  • This report details the first fatal encephalitis case in a 47-year-old non-pregnant woman during the 2016 Brazilian Zika epidemic.
  • Encephalitis diagnosis was based on altered consciousness and focal neurological signs during a viral exanthem.

Findings:

  • Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed lymphocytic pleocytosis, high protein, and ZIKV IgM antibodies, supporting viral encephalitis.
  • RT-PCR confirmed ZIKV in urine; brain CT showed massive swelling. The patient experienced rapid neurological decline, leading to brain death within eleven days.

Implications:

  • Zika virus should be considered a potential cause of encephalitis in endemic areas.
  • Clinicians must be aware of the severe and aggressive neurological presentations ZIKV can cause.
Keywords:
EncephalitisNeurological manifestationsZika virus

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