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Zika Virus Specific Diagnostic Epitope Discovery
Published on: December 12, 2017
8.2K
Diagnostic Limitations in Congenital Zika Virus Infection
M Flanagan1, H Hughes2, E B Forman3
1Neonatology Department, National Maternity Hospital, Holles St, Dublin.
Irish Medical Journal
|August 21, 2020
Summary
This case report details Ireland's first infant with congenital Zika virus infection (ZVI). Despite negative infant tests, placental Zika virus RNA confirmed congenital ZVI, highlighting diagnostic challenges.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Zika virus infection (ZVI) poses significant risks to pregnant individuals and their offspring.
- Congenital ZVI can lead to severe neurological abnormalities in newborns.
Observation:
- A term infant born in Ireland presented with severe microcephaly, diagnosed antenatally.
- Maternal ZVI was confirmed during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Findings:
- The infant exhibited clinical features consistent with congenital ZVI.
- While the infant's blood and urine tested negative for Zika virus RNA and IgM, Zika virus RNA was detected in the placenta.
- This placental finding confirmed the diagnosis of congenital ZVI in the infant.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering ZVI in infants born with microcephaly, even with negative infant diagnostic tests.
- It highlights the placenta as a crucial diagnostic sample for confirming congenital ZVI.
- This documentation is vital for understanding the geographic spread and clinical presentation of ZVI in new regions.
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