Zika virus: A new human teratogen? Implications for women of reproductive age

L Schuler-Faccini; Mtv Sanseverino; Fsl Vianna; A A da Silva; M Larrandaburu; C Marcolongo-Pereira; A M Abeche

doi:10.1002/cpt.386

Zika virus: A new human teratogen? Implications for women of reproductive age

Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2016 Jul;100(1):28-30. doi: 10.1002/cpt.386. Epub 2016 May 13.

Authors

L Schuler-Faccini^{1

2}, Mtv Sanseverino^{1

2}, Fsl Vianna^{1

2}, A A da Silva^{1

3}, M Larrandaburu^{1

2}, C Marcolongo-Pereira⁴, A M Abeche^{1

5}

Affiliations

¹ SIAT, Brazilian Teratogen Information Service, Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil.
² Post-Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
³ UNIVATES University, Brazil.
⁴ Veterinary Sciences Faculty, UniRitter Laureate International Universities, Brazil.
⁵ Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

PMID: 27090438
DOI: 10.1002/cpt.386

Abstract

In 2015 an unprecedented increase of reports of newborns with microcephaly in Brazil made news headlines around the world. A possible etiological association with prenatal maternal infection by Zika virus (ZIKV) was suggested based on temporal and geographic distribution of ZIKV infection and the subsequent increase in the reports of microcephaly cases. Here we discuss ZIKV as a new human teratogen, with comments on potential treatment options.

MeSH terms

Animals
Brazil / epidemiology
Female
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Microcephaly / epidemiology*
Microcephaly / virology
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / epidemiology*
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / virology
Zika Virus Infection / complications*
Zika Virus Infection / epidemiology
Zika Virus Infection / therapy