Seven Cases of Zika Virus Infection in South Florida

Abstract

IntroductionZika virus, an arbovirus of the Flaviviridae family, is a mosquito-borne virus known to cause microcephaly through vertical transmission. Infection presents with mild, self-limiting symptoms. Currently, a Zika virus outbreak has spread across most of South and Central America. Travel-related and sexually transmitted cases have been reported across the United States. However, the vector-borne transmission has been limited to Florida and Texas. We present seven cases of Zika virus infection that presented at a single institution in South Florida.MethodsPatients were included that had real-time polymerase-chain reaction (RT-PCR) for Zika virus RNA in urine or serum or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for Immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody against Zika virus in serum.ResultsAll seven patients reported recent travel or employment in areas of active Zika virus transmission and at least two of the four most commonly reported symptoms (fever, arthralgia, rash, and conjunctivitis) with a rash present in all patients. All patients had positive RT-PCR for Zika virus RNA in urine. RT-PCR for Zika virus RNA in serum was negative in four of five patients that were tested, indicating that these patients likely presented one to two weeks after symptom onset.ConclusionThe future of Zika virus outbreaks in other cities in the United States is still uncertain. However, it is clear that prevention and control policies are urgently needed. We have presented seven confirmed cases of Zika virus infection in South Florida. In addition to conducting research concerning both the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of the virus, there is a need for public awareness of its presentation, methods of transmission, and subsequent clinical outcomes.

Riscos de microcefalia associada à infecção congênita por Zika vírus: principais abordagens e lacunas científicas

“…Isso foi fundamental para a rápida produção de conhecimento científico que contribuiu para a comprovação de que a infecção pelo vírus Zika durante a gestação é uma causa de microcefalia e outras anomalias congênitas (Moura et al, 2018). Com os dados sobre os países de origem das instituições de vínculo dos autores (tabela 1), percebeu-se que a maior quantidade de artigos publicados e citações foi justificado pelo pioneirismo dos EUA, com os primeiros casos de ZIKV por picada de mosquito autóctones (Khawar et al, 2017), e do Brasil, pelo primeiro surto epidêmico nas Américas (Lowe et al, 2018). Sobre os principais apontamentos desses artigos, para compreender a associação entre a microcefalia e o Zika vírus durante o surto que ocorreu na Polinésia Francesa de setembro de 2013 a abril de 2014de , Cauchemez et al, (2016 desenvolveram um suporte matemático e estatístico.…”

Zika Virus Infection

“…Clinicians generally perceive ZVI on noticing macropapular rashes as other symptoms share among dengue fever (EDC) 19 , chikungunya and ZVI. 20 Combination of ZIKV rRT-PCR 22 and ZIKV serology help in confirmation of virus in the suspected pregnant women. Subjects of present study seem unanimous in this clinical finding.…”

Zika Virus Infection;

“…Clinicians generally perceive ZVI on noticing macropapular rashes as other symptoms share among dengue fever (EDC) 19 , chikungunya and ZVI. 20 The sharing may lead to misdiagnosis. Substantially higher rate of respondents against RT-PCR Zika -an established clinical test for quantitative load management of the virus show interest in diagnostic sides.…”