Autism and Exposure to Zica Virus: Report of Two Cases

Background: Some brain lesions have been described in association with maternal exposure to Zika Virus infection and have started with reports of microcephaly. Studies with rats suggest that mild infections in pregnancy can lead to lesions that are not apparent at birth, and then present as neurobehavioral deficits, such as locomotor and cognitive deficits, associated with the brain with thinner cortical layer 1 and increased astrogliosis. The correlation between viral infections in pregnancy and autism has been suggested for rubella, measles, mumps and influenza viruses. To date, no cases of autism related to exposure to Zika virus have been reported in the literature.

Objectives: Described cases of autism in wish mothers were affected by the Zika virus during pregnancy.

Methods: In this article, we described two cases of autism, in both mothers were affected by the Zika virus infection in the first trimester of pregnancy and the children did not present microcephaly.

Results: Case 1. Male child, 3 years old, 41 year old father and 28 year old mother. Autism Spectrum Disorder, nonverbal, presence of oppositional behavior. ADOS-2 score 10 (High); language and communication score 9; reciprocal social interaction score 17; Play score 6; repeated behavior and restricted interest score 7; other abnormal behavior score 1 (tantrums, aggression, negative or disruptive behavior). Case 2 Male child 2 years and 6 months. Age of the father: 30 years; Mother's age: 33 years. Autism Spectrum Disorder Mild, verbal few words. ADOS-2 score 6 (moderate); Language and communication score 5; reciprocal social interaction score 16; Play score 2; repeated behavior and restricted interest score 0; Other abnormal behavior score 0.

Conclusions: Neuro inflammation seems to modulate cortical and cerebellar functions through the activation of microglia and astroglia and the production of proinflammatory cytokines in some cases of autism. In the cases described, both mothers were infected with Zika Virus in the first trimester of pregnancy. In Case 1 autism symptoms are more severe, and the mother was also exposed to repetitive UTIs during pregnancy and to the use of antibiotics. This child also presents an anatomical alteration, with agenesis of fingers, which may be due to the use of antibiotics at the time of the entire pregnancy.