Data on the kinetics of Zika virus load and serology are provided.
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Anti-Zika virus IgM detection could represent a useful tool for early diagnosis.
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Zika virus remains detectable in the plasma for 2 weeks, and even longer in urine.
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Mosquito control measures should be prolonged accordingly.
Abstract
While the rapid spread of Zika virus (ZIKV) in South America has been declared a public health emergency few data are available on the kinetics of the virus load and the specific antibodies in individual patients. This report describes the kinetics of ZIKV decay in the body compartments and the kinetics of anti ZIKV IgG and IgM of two people returning from Martinique, French West Indies. ZIKV remained detectable in the plasma for roughly 2 weeks indicating that mosquito control measures should be prolonged accordingly. Remarkably, their urine samples consistently tested positive for even longer. The antibodies responses were different between the two patients but for both the rapid onset of IgM allowed a diagnosis from the end of the first week.