Zika virus antibody-positivity among symptomatic/asymptomatic pregnant women in the Aseer region displays pre-exposure to dengue viruses
https://doi.org/10.47665/tb.40.3.010
- Author:
Harish, C.C.
1
,
2
;
Ayed, A.A.
3
;
Alhanshani, A.A.
3
;
Youssef, A.A.
3
;
Esther, P.
2
;
Riyad, A.A.M.
1
;
Abdullah, M.A.
1
;
Anandalakshmi, S.
1
;
Ashish, K.
1
;
Ahmed, M.A.H.
1
,
2
Author Information
1. Department of Microbiology and Clinical Parasitology, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, P.O. Box: 641, Post Code: 61421, Abha, Saudi Arabia&
2. Centre for Stem Cell Research, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, P.O. Box: 641, Post Code: 61421, Abha, Saudi Arabia
3. Department of Child Health, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, P.O. Box: 641, Post Code: 61421, Abha, Saudi Arabia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Zika;
intrauterine virus transmission;
flavivirus cross-reactivity;
dengue;
cross-reactive viral antibodies.
- From:Tropical Biomedicine
2023;40(No.3):337-343
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Antibody cross-reactivity among flaviviruses is a major limitation in understanding the prevalence
without vector control measures. In this study, we investigated the presence of Zika virus (ZIKV)-specific
antibodies and the significance of their cross-reactivity with other flaviviruses, which could affect the
serological specificity in both symptomatic and asymptomatic pregnant women. Among the results
obtained from 217 serum samples tested for ZIKV-specific IgM and IgG, no specific predictions regarding
seropositivity or exposure due to extensive cross-reactivity with dengue virus (DENV) serology could be
made. Clear-cut positivity was observed in 1.8% (n = 4) and 1.0% (n = 2) for ZIKV IgM and IgG, respectively.
The same samples assessed for DENV showed 1.3% (n = 3) seropositivity each for IgM and IgG levels.
None of the samples were positive for ZIKV and DENV IgM or IgG. However, one sample (0.4%) tested
positive for ZIKV and DENV IgM. No significant correlation was observed between DENV IgM and IgG
when comparing the overlapped serotiters. On the other hand, the ZIKV IgG-positive sample showed
higher serotiters for DENV IgG, indicating cross-reactivity with ZIKV but without statistical significance.
Therefore, screening for the incidence of ZIKV becomes particularly challenging in a population where
the presence or pre-exposure to DENV is observed. Our observations further suggest that unless
flavivirus prevalence is properly addressed, determining the prevalence of ZIKV antibodies, which may
be confounded with other uninvestigated flaviviruses, will be complicated.
- Full text:8.2023my1426.pdf
