Zika RNA Detectable in Pregnant Women After 2 Weeks Pregnancy may prolong ability to detect virus

With these new cases, there have now been a total of eight pregnant women with evidence of Zika virus detected in their blood for a prolonged exposure. These data seem to confirm animal studies that have discovered similar results when comparing pregnant subjects compared to non-pregnant subjects. Meaney-Delman and colleagues noted that other infectious diseases associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as hepatitis E, follow similar patterns. "Delayed immune clearance of viruses from the maternal circulation may reflect altered immunity during pregnancy," they wrote. "Alternately, fetal infection and ongoing viral replication in the fetus or placenta might result in the transfer of viral genetic material into the maternal circulation." Further research is needed in a larger population of women to determine whether or not pregnancy status impacts how long Zika virus RNA stays in a patient's blood. If confirmed, the CDC has the potential to expand their real-time RT-PCR assay, the Tripolex test -- which detects Zika virus RNA in serum and cerebrospinal fluid, and can be used for urine and amniotic fluid, as well. This test also rules out similar flaviviruses, dengue and chikungunya. http://www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/GeneralInfectiousDisease/59459?xid=NL_breakingnews_2016-08-02&eun=g721819d0r