Abstract
We evaluated sweat, blood and urine specimens obtained from an ongoing cohort study in Brazil. Samples were collected at pre-established intervals after the initial rash presentation and tested for Zika virus (ZIKV) RNA presence by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). From 254 participants with confirmed infection, ZIKV RNA was detected in the sweat of 46 individuals (18.1%). Sweat presented a median cycle threshold (Ct) of 34.74 [interquartile range (IQR) 33.44-36.04], comparable to plasma (Ct 35.96 - IQR 33.29-36.69) and higher than urine (Ct 30.78 - IQR 28.72-33.22). Concomitant detection with other specimens was observed in 33 (72%) of 46 participants who had a positive result in sweat. These findings represent an unusual and not yet investigated virus shedding through eccrine glands.
Highlights
Cohort, Zika virus (ZIKV) persistence was assessed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) in different body fluids from individuals with confirmed infection through a multicenter prospective study
Cohort, ZIKV persistence was assessed by rRT-PCR in different body fluids from individuals with confirmed infection through a multicenter prospective study
223 (87.8%) participants were symptomatic cases and 31 (12.2%) were asymptomatic household/sexual contact subjects. Since it is an ongoing cohort study, here we describe the findings of ZIKV RNA presence in sweat samples and its comparison to laboratory gold standard specimens only, detection of ZIKV RNA in rectal swab samples was previously published,(8) other body fluids specific findings will be published elsewhere
Summary
Cohort, ZIKV persistence was assessed by rRT-PCR in different body fluids from individuals with confirmed infection through a multicenter prospective study (the ZIKABRA Study). + Corresponding author: rafael.franca@cpqam.fiocruz.br https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1846-6007 Received 29 June 2020 Accepted 25 November 2020 formed by real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assays (rRT-PCR), most often from blood samples (serum or plasma), whose sensitivity is highest up to five days after symptoms onset.[3] Several reports have described the presence of ZIKV RNA in other body fluids than blood, such as urine,(4) semen,(5) saliva,(6) vaginal[7] and rectal secretions[8] with variable sensitivity.[9] Overall, ZIKV molecular detection differs according to the days of symptoms (from the initial rash report) and the type of specimen analyzed, besides intrinsic methodology variations.
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