Seroprevalence of Zika virus in pregnant women in Brazil: a cohort study in the macroregion of Dourados - Mato Grosso do Sul

Abstract

Objective: Estimate the seroprevalence of Zika virus in pregnant women in the macroregion of Dourados - MS. Methods: Pregnant women admitted to the Tertiary Hospital from January 2016 to December 2017 were selected, and a serological diagnosis was made using the antibody neutralization technique for the quantification of antibodies against ZIKV with Operetta high-performance image analysis system (PerkinElmer). The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee. Results: 100 samples were analyzed, and the prevalence of identified ZIKV was 2%. Myalgia and ostealgia (90%) and high fever (75%) were the most common symptoms. Moreover, >50% of the cases reported a regular use of repellents. Maternal ZIKV infection was associated with premature childbirth and Inter-Atrial Communication but not with neurological alterations. Conclusion: These results demonstrated the importance and need for creating public policies to mitigate the possibility of damage caused by ZIKV, raising awareness among pregnant women regarding the use of repellents and other forms prevention, such as combating vectors, and investing the availability of new ZIKV vaccines.