Zika Virus Human Infection During Pregnancy Triggers a Strong and Broad Systemic Inflammatory Response

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Virology
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Background:

• Zika virus (ZIKV) infection can cause neurological complications.
• Clinical presentation of ZIKV infection is similar in pregnant and non-pregnant women, but symptomatic infection is more frequent in pregnancy.
• The systemic immune mediator profile during ZIKV infection in pregnant women remains poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the profile of circulating immune mediators in pregnant women with ZIKV infection.
• To investigate differences in immune mediator levels based on gestational trimester.

Main Methods:

• Multiplex immunoassay was used to measure cytokine, chemokine, and growth factor levels.
• 32 pregnant women with ZIKV infection were categorized by trimester.
• Levels were compared between infected pregnant women and healthy pregnant women.

Main Results:

• ZIKV-infected pregnant women exhibited elevated levels of numerous cytokines (e.g., IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-10) compared to healthy controls.
• Pro-inflammatory biomarkers (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, CCL11, G-CSF) showed increased levels in the second trimester compared to the first.
• These elevated biomarker levels persisted throughout the third trimester.

Conclusions:

• ZIKV infection during pregnancy induces a robust and widespread systemic inflammatory response.
• The kinetics of immune mediator production during ZIKV infection are dependent on gestational age.