The Zika virus - one year from the microcephaly outbreak

R. Bohîlțea, M. Cîrstoiu, S. Vlădăreanu, E. Brătilă

Rezumat: Zika fever is a viral infection caused by an arthropod-borne RNA flavivirus. Zika virus may be transmitted to humans via a bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, blood product transfusion, unprotected sexual contact and by maternal-fetal vertical path. Clinical manifestations typically include maculopapular pruritic rush, low-grade fever, arthralgia and conjunctivitis. Recently demonstrated, there is a strong relationship between Zika virus infection and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Zika congenital syndrome includes severe destruction of the brain parenchyma, ocular abnormalities, neurologic abnormalities and positional arthrogryposis type abnormalities. The major fetal damage justifies pregnancy termination. Diagnosis is based on immunologic and molecular tests. There is no specific prevention and treatment methods for Zika virus infection, but a vaccine is under development. Avoiding traveling to areas with mosquito transmission of Zika virus of fertile women, protection from mosquitoes and protected sexual contact are currently the only measures available to reduce the spread of the virus at this time.
Cuvinte cheie: Zika virus, microcephaly, outbreak, ultrasound.