Zika virus RNA excretion in sweat with concomitant detection in other body fluid specimens

Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2021 Jan 25:115:e200339. doi: 10.1590/0074-02760200339. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

We evaluated sweat, blood and urine specimens obtained from an ongoing cohort study in Brazil. Samples were collected at pre-established intervals after the initial rash presentation and tested for Zika virus (ZIKV) RNA presence by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). From 254 participants with confirmed infection, ZIKV RNA was detected in the sweat of 46 individuals (18.1%). Sweat presented a median cycle threshold (Ct) of 34.74 [interquartile range (IQR) 33.44-36.04], comparable to plasma (Ct 35.96 - IQR 33.29-36.69) and higher than urine (Ct 30.78 - IQR 28.72-33.22). Concomitant detection with other specimens was observed in 33 (72%) of 46 participants who had a positive result in sweat. These findings represent an unusual and not yet investigated virus shedding through eccrine glands.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood / virology
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • RNA, Viral / classification
  • RNA, Viral / genetics*
  • RNA, Viral / isolation & purification
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sweat / virology*
  • Urine / virology
  • Zika Virus / genetics
  • Zika Virus / isolation & purification*
  • Zika Virus Infection / diagnosis*
  • Zika Virus Infection / epidemiology

Substances

  • RNA, Viral