Evidence for Congenital Zika Virus Infection From Neutralizing Antibody Titers in Maternal Sera, Northeastern Brazil

J Infect Dis. 2017 Dec 19;216(12):1501-1504. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jix539.

Abstract

Reliable diagnosis of congenital Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is challenging. Here, we assessed ZIKV-specific neutralizing antibodies in 28 mothers of children with microcephaly (cases) and 122 controls from northeastern Brazil using plaque reduction neutralization tests. ZIKV-specific antibody titers were significantly higher in cases than in controls (t test, P < .0001). We identified a putative case of congenital Zika syndrome retrospectively by unusually high ZIKV-specific antibody titers. High ZIKV-specific antibody titers in cases were unrelated to prior dengue virus infection. Our data suggest a strong immunological stimulus from prolonged placental or transplacental ZIKV shedding and potential utility of maternal antibody titers to corroborate congenital ZIKV infection.

Keywords: Brazil; Zika virus; microcephaly; neutralization test; parturient.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / blood*
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Brazil
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Microcephaly / etiology
  • Neutralization Tests
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Viral Plaque Assay
  • Young Adult
  • Zika Virus / immunology*
  • Zika Virus Infection / congenital*
  • Zika Virus Infection / diagnosis*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral