Congenital Zika Virus Infection Induces Severe Spinal Cord Injury
Fernando S Ramalho1, Aparecida Y Yamamoto2, Luis L da Silva3
1Department of Pathology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
Abstract:
We report 2 fatal cases of congenital Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. Brain anomalies, including atrophy of the cerebral cortex and brainstem, and cerebellar aplasia were observed. The spinal cord showed architectural distortion, severe neuronal loss, and microcalcifications. The ZIKV proteins and flavivirus-like particles were detected in cytoplasm of spinal neurons, and spinal cord samples were positive for ZIKV RNA.
