Congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) is a cluster of malformation, and the mechanisms that lead it are still unclear. Using hypothesis-driven candidate genes and their function in viral infections, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in a sample population from Sergipe State, Brazil. This study shows that rs3775291 SNP at Toll-like receptor 3, which triggers type I interferon antiviral responses in mothers infected by Zika virus during pregnancy, is associated with CZS occurrence (odds ratio [OR], 2.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.158–4.148). Moreover, rs1799964 SNP at tumor necrosis factor-α gene in CZS babies is associated with severe microcephaly (OR, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.13–6.21).

Objective: To identify and evaluate the prevalence of congenital central nervous system (CNS) malformations and associated defects diagnosed by obstetric ultrasonography. Materials and Methods: Observational, descriptive, crosssectional study developed in an institution of reference for high-risk pregnancies. Results: Congenital CNS malformations without other associated defects were present in 65.78% of cases, as follows: hydrocephalus (37.5%), myelomeningocele (15%), encephalocele (12.5%), corpus callosum agenesis (12.5%), anencephaly (12.5%), holoprosencephaly (7.5%), Dandy-Walker (7.5%), Arnold-Chiari (5.0%), hydranencephaly (5.0%), meningocele (5.0%), arachnoid cyst (2.5%). Congenital malformations of other systems were associated with such malformations, as follows: craniofacial (73.9%), orthopedic (65.2%), cardiovascular (34.8%), genitourinary (30.4%), gastrointestinal (30.4%), respiratory (8.7%), syndromic (8.7%), ophthalmologic (4.3%). The sonographic sensitivity in the study of CNS malformations was 79.4%. The rate of false-negative results was 20.5%. Oligohydramnios, present in 25% of false-negative studies, stands out among the quantifiable limitations. Conclusion: Obstetric ultrasonography presents good sensitivity in the screening for fetal CNS malformations, specially with the constant improvement and control of specialized methods such as Doppler and volumetric ultrasonography (3D/4D), contributing to consolidate its role as a modality of choice in this routine. Magnetic resonance imaging may play a supplementary role, providing information for an even better perinatal care. Keywords: Congenital malformations; Central nervous system malformations; Associated malformations; Ultrasonography.Objetivo: Identificar a prevalência de malformações congênitas do sistema nervoso central (SNC) e malformações associadas diagnosticadas pela ultrassonografia obstétrica. Materiais e Métodos: Estudo observacional, transversal, descritivo, em instituição de referência para gestações de alto risco. Resultados: Malformações congênitas do SNC estiveram presentes sem outras malformações associadas em 65,78%, com a distribuição: hidrocefalia (37,5%), mielomeningocele (15%), encefalocele (12,5%), agenesia de corpo caloso (12,5%), anencefalia (12,5%), holoprosencefalia (7,5%), Dandy-Walker (7,5%), Arnold-Chiari (5,0%), hidranencefalia (5,0%), meningocele (5,0%), cisto aracnoideo (2,5%). Malformações congênitas de outros sistemas estiveram associadas às do SNC: craniofacial (73,9%), ortopédica (65,2%), cardiovascular (34,8%), geniturinária (30,4%), gastrintestinal (30,4%), respiratória (8,7%), sindrômica (8,7), oftalmoló-gica (4,3%). A sensibilidade ultrassonográfica no estudo de malformações fetais do SNC foi 79,4%. A taxa de falso-negativos foi 20,5%. Dentre as limitações quantificáveis destaca-se o oligodrâmnio, presente em 25% dos falso-negativos. Conclusão: A ultrassonografia obstétrica possui boa sensibilidade no rastreio de malformações fetais do SNC, em especial com o aperfeiçoamento constante e domínio na utiliz...

Background: There is an urgent need to understand the complex relationship between cross-reactive anti-viral immunity, disease susceptibility, and severity in the face of differential exposure to related, circulating Flaviviruses. Co-exposure to Dengue virus and Zika virus in Brazil is a case in point. A devastating aspect of the 2015-2016 South American Zika outbreak was the dramatic increase in numbers of infants born with microcephaly to mothers exposed to Zika virus during pregnancy. It has been proposed that this is more likely to ensue from Zika infection in women lacking cross-protective Dengue immunity. In this case series we measure the prevalence of Dengue immunity in a cohort of mothers exposed to Zika virus during pregnancy in the 2015-2016 Zika outbreak that gave birth to an infant affected by microcephaly and explore their adaptive immunity to Zika virus. Results: Fifty women from Sergipe, Brazil who gave birth to infants with microcephaly following Zika virus exposure during the 2015-16 outbreak were tested for serological evidence of Dengue exposure and IFNγ ELISpot spot forming cell (SFC) response to Zika virus. The majority (46/50) demonstrated Dengue immunity. IFNγ ELISpot responses to Zika virus antigens showed the following hierarchy: Env>NS1>NS3>C protein. Twenty T cell epitopes from Zika virus Env were identified. Responses to Zika virus antigens Env and NS1 were polyfunctional with cells making IFNγ, TNFα, IL-4, IL-13, and IL-10. In contrast, responses to NS5 only produced the immune regulatory TGFβ1 cytokine. There were SFC responses against Zika virus Env (1-20) and variant peptide sequences from West Nile virus, Dengue virus 1-4 and Yellow Fever virus. Conclusion: Almost all the women in our study showed serological evidence of Dengue immunity, suggesting that microcephaly can occur in DENV immune mothers. T cell Reynolds et al. CD4 Immunity in ZIKV Infection immunity to Zika virus showed a multifunctional response to the antigens Env and NS1 and immune regulatory responses to NS5 and C protein. Our data support an argument that different viral products may skew the antiviral response to a more pro or anti-inflammatory outcome, with an associated impact on immunopathogenesis.

objective To describe COVID-19 deaths among children and adolescents in Sergipe, Brazil. methods Ecological study of all COVID-19 reported cases and deaths occurring in children and adolescents < 19 years of age in Sergipe reported by the health surveillance and mortality information systems of Sergipe's Health Secretary and hospital records. results Of 37 deaths of children < 19 years old were reported up to 30 September 2020, corresponding to 4.87 deaths for 100 000 population < 19 years old. Most deaths occurred among infants (44.1/100 000), and this age group had the highest case fatality rate (15.3 %). Most children had comorbidities such as chronic neurological diseases (n = 7; 19%) and prematurity (n = 4; 11%). Most children who died (n = 18; 49%) were not admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). conclusion COVID-19 mortality in children and adolescents in Sergipe was higher than in other Brazilian states and in high-income countries. A large proportion of the deaths occurred among children with comorbidities and a minority of children were admitted to ICU, reflecting the limited provision of such beds in the State. Newborns and infants are a high-risk group that must have priority in health public policy.

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