Zika virus infection among symptomatic patients from two healthcare centers in Sao Paulo State, Brazil: prevalence, clinical characteristics, viral detection in body fluids and serodynamics

Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo. 2019:61:e19. doi: 10.1590/S1678-9946201961019. Epub 2019 Apr 4.

Abstract

Zika virus (ZIKV) clinical presentation and frequency/duration of shedding need further clarification. Symptomatic ZIKV-infected individuals identified in two hospitals in Sao Paulo State, Brazil, were investigated regarding clinical characteristics, shedding in body fluids, and serodynamics. Ninety-four of 235 symptomatic patients (Site A: 58%; Site B: 16%) had Real-Time PCR-confirmed ZIKV infection; fever, headache and gastrointestinal symptoms were less frequent, and rash was more frequent compared to ZIKV-negative patients. Real-Time PCR in serum had worse performance compared to plasma, while urine had the highest sensitivity. Shedding in genital fluids and saliva was rare. IgM positivity was the highest <14 days after the symptoms onset (86%), decreasing >28 days (24%); IgG positivity increased >14 days (96%) remaining positive in 94% of patients >28 days. ZIKV prevalence varied importantly in two neighboring cities during the same transmission season. Urine Real-Time PCR can improve diagnostic sensitivity; serum testing is less useful. Accurate serological tests are needed to improve diagnosis and surveillance.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bodily Secretions / virology*
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pregnancy
  • Prevalence
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Viral Load
  • Zika Virus / isolation & purification*
  • Zika Virus Infection / diagnosis*
  • Zika Virus Infection / epidemiology

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under ZIKAlliance Grant Agreement N° 734548, Coordenação de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES – Ministry of Education, Brazil, grants N° CSF-PVE-S-88887.122640/2016-00 [VAS support] and CSF-PVE-S-88881.068160/2014-01 [ASL, ACS and PM support]) and bioMérieux Corporation. The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.