Microcephaly and arthrogryposis multiplex congenita: The full-blown CNS spectrum in newborns with ZIKV infection
Marcio Leyser1, Alexandre Fernandes1, Pamela Passos1
1Federal Fluminense University, Antônio Pedro University Hospital, 24033-900, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Insights
Newborns with Zika virus (ZIKV) related microcephaly may also develop arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. This study explores potential molecular mechanisms for this ZIKV-induced nervous system and musculoskeletal disorder.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Virology
- Genetics
Background:
- Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreaks have been linked to microcephaly in newborns.
- International health organizations have issued warnings regarding ZIKV.
- The precise mechanisms behind ZIKV-induced birth defects require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe arthrogryposis multiplex congenita as a potential ZIKV-induced disorder accompanying microcephaly.
- To propose hypotheses for the underlying molecular mechanisms of ZIKV-induced arthrogryposis multiplex congenita.
- To explore potential links based on animal models of arboviral infections.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of ZIKV-related microcephaly cases.
- Analysis of animal model data for arboviruses and Flaviviridae family infections.
- Comparative study of central nervous system (CNS) malformations.
Main Results:
- Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita is identified as a co-occurring disorder with ZIKV-induced microcephaly.
- Animal models infected with arboviruses and Flaviviridae exhibit similar CNS malformations.
- Published data suggests potential molecular pathways for ZIKV teratogenicity.
Conclusions:
- Zika virus infection may lead to a spectrum of CNS and musculoskeletal disorders beyond microcephaly.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of ZIKV teratogenesis.
- Animal models provide valuable insights into ZIKV-induced developmental abnormalities.
Abstract:
The recent alarming statements concerning the newborn ZIKV-induced microcephaly epidemics in the Northeast of Brazil, released by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, as well as important international health agencies, such as the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization, raised many "why and how" questions so far, that will hopefully be scientifically answered, as more researches in that regard come up in the long term. In this paper, we describe another potentially ZIKV-induced central nervous system and musculoskeletal disorder that has accompanied microcephaly in these children: atrhogryposis multiplex congenita. The goal is to bring up some hypotheses for possible underlying molecular mechanisms based on published data taken from animal models, such as ovine and cattle, which once infected by other types of arboviroses and viruses that also belong to the Flaviviridae family, presented, too, with the full-blown CNS spectrum of malformations at birth.
