Histopathologic Changes in Placental Tissue Associated With Vertical Transmission of Zika Virus

Author(s):Show less -

Santos, Geovane R. ^[1] ; Pinto, Clovis A. L. ^{[2, 1]} ; Prudente, Raphael C. S. ^[1] ; Bevilacqua, Estela M. A. F. ^[3] ; Witkin, Steven S. ^{[4, 5]} ; Passos, Saulo D. ^{[6, 7]} ; Moron, A. F. ; Ventura, D. F. ; Massad, E. ; Zanotto, P. M. A. ; Rodrigues, L. C. ; Bertozzi, A. P. A. P. ; Grion, A. P. ; Mingotti, A. C. ; Silva, A. C. B. ; Martins, C. M. G. ; Barreira, E. R. ; Fujiwara, D. T. ; Souza, F. M. S. ; Velasco, F. G. ; Cangerana, F. ; Arita, F. N. ; Hernandez, F. D. M. ; Tabares, H. S. ; Milani, H. J. F. ; Sampaio, M. M. S. C. ; Machado, M. B. ; Silva, M. M. A. ; Rodrigues, M. M. D. ; Almeida, M. F. ; Rizzo, M. F. ; Damico, F. M. ; Clemente, N. S. ; Cunha, M. P. ; Izbicki, R. ; Gazeta, R. E. ; Dezena, R. C. A. B. ; Bonom, S. H. A. ; Pour, S. Z. ; Uranjec, S. ; Rosemberg, S. ; Oyama, S. M. R. ; Sarmento, S. G. P. ; Quintella, T. M. ; Fajardo, T. C. G. ; Ferrareto, T. R. G. ; Rodrigues, W. M. ; Baran, L. ; Soares, A. P. ; Costa, M. ; Barboni, M. T. S. ; Lima, Ds ; Franca, V. C. R. M. ; Vidal, K. S. ; Barbosa, A. R. ; Zanquetta, G. U. ; Silva, A. B. ; Grp, Zika Virus Cohort Study

Affiliation

^[1] Jundiai Med Sch, Dept Morphol & Pathol, Jundiai - Brazil

^[2] AC Camargo Canc Ctr, Dept Pathol, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biomed Sci, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Trop Med, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[5] Weill Cornell Med, Dept Obstet & Gynecol, New York, NY - USA

^[6] Jundiai Med Sch, Dept Pediat, Jundiai - Brazil

^[7] Jundiai Med Sch, Univ Teaching Hosp, Jundiai - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GYNECOLOGICAL PATHOLOGY; v. 39, n. 2, p. 157-162, MAR 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Zika virus (ZIKV) is highly neurotropic after crossing the placenta, inducing teratogenic effects that result in delayed development and microcephaly in infants. The available evidence for vertical transmission of this infection is based on placental studies showing alterations in trophoblastic tissue. However, complete characterization of ZIKV-infected placenta and involved pathways has yet to be fully clarified. This case report of placental ZIKV infection describes morphologic and molecular changes in the placenta. Hyperplasia of placental Hofbauer cells in chorionic villi and numerous histiocyte-like cells in the decidua were observed. The decidua, fibroblasts, and chorion, as well as circulating cells in the intravascular compartment stained positive for ZIKV envelop protein. Deciduitis was present on the maternal surface of the placenta, with a prevalence of lymphocytes associated with vasculitis. A high level of uncommitted CD3(+) T lymphocytes were present, in addition to CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells. Elevated expression of the apoptosis inhibitor, Bcl-2, was observed in syncytiotrophoblasts. These parameters may promote the persistence of ZIKV in placental tissue and transmission to the fetus. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/08578-0 - Vertical infection by the virus Zika and its impact on the mother-child area
• Grantee: Saulo Duarte Passos
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants