Zika virus found in brain tissue of a multiple sclerosis patient undergoing an acute disseminated encephalomyelitis-like episode.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

A range of different neurological manifestations has been reported in fetuses and adults after Zika virus (ZIKV) infection.

OBJECTIVE:

We describe a detection of the ZIKV in the brain tissue from a multiple sclerosis (MS) patient with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM)-like event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

METHODS:

Biological samples collected during the hospitalization were tested by serology and molecular diagnostic for various infectious agents. Histopathological analysis was performed using the anti-flavivirus group 4G2 monoclonal antibody, anti-ZIKV non-structural 1 (NS1) monoclonal antibody, and anti-CD4, CD8, and CD11b antibodies.

RESULTS:

Anti-ZIKV IgM and IgG antibodies were positive in the serum and urine. A brain biopsy showed ZIKV protein in brain cells and T CD8 infiltration in brain tissue.

CONCLUSION:

Our data describe the coexistence of a recent central nervous system (CNS) ZIKV infection accompanied by a severe ADEM-like syndrome outcome in a patient with clinical history of MS. A de novo immune response concomitant with ZIKV infection might be involved in the mechanism of the ADEM-like syndrome and response to immunotherapy. The present report reinforces the importance of providing the differential diagnosis of acute episodes of MS exacerbation in an environment prone to ZIKV expression.

• Authors: Soniza Vieira Alves-Leon, Monique da Rocha Lima, Priscila Conrado Guerra Nunes, Leila Maria Cardão Chimelli, Kíssila Rabelo, Rita Maria Ribeiro Nogueira, Fernanda de Bruycker-Nogueira, Elzinandes Leal de Azeredo, Paulo Roberto Bahia, Fernanda Cristina Rueda Lopes, Jorge P Barreto Marcondes de Souza, Fabrícia Lima Fontes-Dantas, Marciano Viana Paes, Elba Rs Lemos, Flavia Barreto Santos
• Journal: Multiple sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England) (Mult Scler) Vol. 25 Issue 3 Pg. 427-430 (03 2019) ISSN: 1477-0970 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 30226115 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Viral

Topics

• Adult
• Antibodies, Viral (blood, urine)
• Brain (microbiology)
• Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated (diagnosis, microbiology)
• Female
• Humans
• Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting
• Zika Virus (isolation & purification)
• Zika Virus Infection (blood, diagnosis, immunology, urine)