Year: 2023
Type: preprint
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has become a global public health concern since the reemergence of the Indian Ocean lineage and expansion of the Asian genotype. CHIKV infection causes acute febrile illness, rash, and arthralgia and during pregnancy may affect both mothers and infants. The mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of CHIKV in Africa remains understudied. We screened 1006 pregnant women at two clinics in Nigeria between 2019 and 2022 and investigated the prevalence and MTCT of CHIKV. Of the 1006, 119 tested positive for CHIKV IgM, of which 36 underwent detailed laboratory tests. While none of the IgM reactive samples were RT-PCR positive, 14 symptomatic pregnant women were confirmed by CHIKV neutralization test. Twelve babies were followed with 8 normal and 4 abnormal outcomes, including stillbirth, cleft lip/palate with microcephaly, preterm delivery, polydactyly with sepsis and jaundice. CHIKV IgM testing identified 3 antepartum transmissions, further studies will determine its impact in antepartum infection.
Source: medRxiv
Authors: Atiene S. Sagay, Szu-Chia Hsieh, Yu-Ching Dai, Charlotte Ajeong Chang, Jerry Ogwuche, Olukemi O. Ige, Makshwar L. Kahansim, Beth Chaplin, Godwin Imade, Michael Elujoba, Michael Paul, Donald J. Hamel, Hideki Furuya, Ricardo Khoury, Viviane Sampaio Boaventura, Laíse de Moraes, Phyllis J. Kanki, Wei-Kung Wang
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: National Institutes of Health
OpenAlex ID: W4385753715