Absence of Zika virus among pregnant women in Vietnam in 2008

• Published in: Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines
• Main Authors: Y.-C. Chiu, D. Baud, A. Fahmi, B. Zumkehr, M. Vouga, L. Pomar, D. Musso, B. C. Thuong, M.P. Alves, M. Stojanov
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2023
• Subjects: Zika virus; Placenta; Infection; Serology; Vietnam; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40794-023-00189-7; https://doaj.org/article/8046626ab8134b9d8a37cec26b56013c

Abstract Background Despite being first identified in 1947, Zika virus-related outbreaks were first described starting from 2007 culminating with the 2015 Latin American outbreak. Hypotheses indicate that the virus has been circulating in Asia for decades, but reports are scarce. Methods We performed serological analysis and screened placental samples isolated in 2008 for the presence of Zika virus from pregnant women in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam). Results None of the placental samples was positive for Zika virus. Four serum samples out of 176 (2.3%) specifically inhibited Zika virus, with variable degrees of cross-reactivity with other flaviviruses. While one of the four samples inhibited only Zika virus, cross-reactivity with other flaviviruses not included in the study could not be ruled out. Conclusion Our results support the conclusion that the virus was not present among pregnant women in the Vietnamese largest city during the initial phases of the epidemic wave.