The Origins and Emergence of Zika Virus, the Newest TORCH Infection: What's Old Is New Again

Schwartz, David A.

doi:10.5858/arpa.2016-0429-ed

Cited by 70 publications

(66 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…23,24 Importantly, our neuropathologic evaluation demonstrated that the Zika virus-infected fetal brain shares most of the neuroimaging changes seen in other intrauterine TORCH infections and even in pseudo-TORCH phenotypes. 6,7,8,25,26 It is difficult to make a comparison with the neuropathology of such cases because relatively few autopsies with brain examinations have been performed, 27 not only in cases of Zika virus-associated microcephaly but also in other intrauterine fetal brain infections. 28,29 Some changes, especially those of a malformed cortex, have frequently been described as polymicrogyria on MRI, which should be interpreted with caution.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Zika Virus–Associated Micrencephaly: A Thorough Description of Neuropathologic Findings in the Fetal Central Nervous System

Štrafela¹,

Vizjak²,

Mraz³

et al. 2016

Archives of Pathology &Amp; Laboratory Medicine

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Context.-The 2015 outbreak of Zika virus in Brazil resulted in a 20-times increased prevalence of congenital microcephaly in stillborns and neonates and was instrumental in raising the suspicion of a causal association between Zika virus and microcephaly.Objective.-To provide a comprehensive description of the neuropathologic features of congenital Zika virus infection.Design.-Autopsy evaluation of the brain from a fetus of 32 weeks and 6 days of gestation, with a prenatal diagnosis of microcephaly associated with polymerase chain reaction-confirmed, fetal, Zika virus infection.Results.-Multiple severe pathology findings were present. These included lissencephaly, except for the occipital lobes, where some pachygyria was observed. Also present was reduction and thinning of white matter, ventriculomegaly of the lateral ventricles, and coalescent calcifications in the cortical-subcortical white matter border associated with glioneuronal outbursting into the subarachnoid space above and heterotopias below. There were small, scattered calcifications in the basal ganglia, with fewer in the white matter and germinal matrix, and none in the cerebellum and brainstem. The cerebellum and pontine base were atrophic because of Wallerian degeneration or maldevelopment of descending tracts and pontocerebellar connections.Conclusion.-Our findings are in agreement with neuroimaging of Zika virus-associated fetal and infant micrencephalic brains and, to some extent, with neuroimaging of other intrauterine infections causing microcephaly.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Zika Virus–Associated Micrencephaly: A Thorough Description of Neuropathologic Findings in the Fetal Central Nervous System

Štrafela¹,

Vizjak²,

Mraz³

et al. 2016

Archives of Pathology &Amp; Laboratory Medicine

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“…This issue came into focus last year when it became clear that ZIKV infection of pregnant women was associated with high rates of microcephaly and other congenital anomalies in their infants. Although ZIKV has received considerable attention since its recognition in the Western Hemisphere and is the newest mircroorganism classified as a TORCH pathogen (Schwartz, 2017), vertical transmission of other infectious agents is linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes worldwide, particularly in resource-limited countries where access to adequate prenatal care is scarce. Even in the United States, maternal infections with TORCH pathogens is associated with significant fetal disease.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbial Vertical Transmission during Human Pregnancy

Arora

Sadovsky

Dermody

et al. 2017

Cell Host & Microbe

302

297

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Congenital infections with pathogens such as Zika virus, Toxoplasma gondii, Listeria monocytogenes, Treponema pallidium, parvovirus, HIV, varicella zoster virus, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, and Herpesviruses are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite the devastating impact of microbial infections on the developing fetus, relatively little is known about how pathogens associated with congenital disease breach the placental barrier to transit vertically during human pregnancy. In this review, we focus on transplacental transmission of pathogens during human gestation. We introduce the structure of the human placenta and describe the innate mechanisms by which the placenta restricts microbial access to the intrauterine compartment. Based on current knowledge, we also discuss the potential pathways employed by microorganisms to overcome the placental barrier and prospects for the future.

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“…In 1971, a group of investigators in Atlanta, Georgia, led by Andre Nahmias, MD 1 , developed an acronym to identify 4 of the most-frequent causes of vertically transmitted infections that were recognized at that time. 2 This acronym -TORCH-represented Toxoplasma, Other, Rubella virus, Cytomegalovirus, and the 2 Herpes simplex viruses (type 1 and type 2) -this group has been subsequently expanded to include syphilis, listeriosis, parvovirus, coxsackie virus, Trypanosoma cruzi and others. 2 Since that time, vertical transmission from pregnant women to their fetuses has been a major problem with emergent viral diseases such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), 3,4 Ebola virus [5][6][7] and most recently, Zika virus.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2 This acronym -TORCH-represented Toxoplasma, Other, Rubella virus, Cytomegalovirus, and the 2 Herpes simplex viruses (type 1 and type 2) -this group has been subsequently expanded to include syphilis, listeriosis, parvovirus, coxsackie virus, Trypanosoma cruzi and others. 2 Since that time, vertical transmission from pregnant women to their fetuses has been a major problem with emergent viral diseases such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), 3,4 Ebola virus [5][6][7] and most recently, Zika virus. [8][9][10] These emerging viral diseases have resulted in major epidemics, caused significant perinatal morbidity and mortality including maternal, fetal and neonatal death, and continue to be significant public health problems to pregnant women and their infants.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Infections in Pregnancy With COVID-19 and Other Respiratory RNA Virus Diseases Are Rarely, If Ever, Transmitted to the Fetus: Experiences With Coronaviruses, Parainfluenza, Metapneumovirus Respiratory Syncytial Virus, and Influenza

Schwartz

Dhaliwal

2020

Archives of Pathology &Amp; Laboratory Medicine

Self Cite

107

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SARS-CoV-2, the agent of COVID-19, is similar to two other coronaviruses, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, in causing life-threatening maternal respiratory infections and systemic complications. Because of global concern for potential intrauterine transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from pregnant women to their infants, this report analyzes the effects on pregnancy of infections caused by SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory RNA viruses, and examines the frequency of maternal-fetal transmission with SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza (HPIV) and metapneumovirus (hMPV). There have been no confirmed cases of intrauterine transmission reported with COVID-19 or any other coronavirus infections. Influenza virus, despite causing approximately one billion annual infections globally, has only a few cases of confirmed or suspected intrauterine fetal infections reported. RSV is in an unusual cause of illness among pregnant women, and with the exception of one premature infant with congenital pneumonia, no other cases of maternal-fetal infection are described. Parainfluenza virus and human metapneumovirus can produce symptomatic maternal infections but do not cause intrauterine fetal infection. In summary, it appears that the absence thus far of maternal-fetal transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the COVID-19pandemic is similar to other coronaviruses, and is also consistent with the extreme rarity of suggested or confirmed cases of intrauterine transmission of other respiratory RNA viruses. This observation has important consequences for pregnant women as it appears that if intrauterine transmission of SARS-CoV-2 does eventually occur, it will be a rare event. Potential mechanisms of fetal protection from maternal viral infections are also discussed.

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The Origins and Emergence of Zika Virus, the Newest TORCH Infection: What's Old Is New Again

Cited by 70 publications

References 35 publications

Zika Virus–Associated Micrencephaly: A Thorough Description of Neuropathologic Findings in the Fetal Central Nervous System

Zika Virus–Associated Micrencephaly: A Thorough Description of Neuropathologic Findings in the Fetal Central Nervous System

Microbial Vertical Transmission during Human Pregnancy

Infections in Pregnancy With COVID-19 and Other Respiratory RNA Virus Diseases Are Rarely, If Ever, Transmitted to the Fetus: Experiences With Coronaviruses, Parainfluenza, Metapneumovirus Respiratory Syncytial Virus, and Influenza

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