ZIKA-Preg

Recently, the causal relationship between prenatal Zika virus infection and microcephaly and other serious brain anomalies has been confirmed. This outbreak represents a global health emergency of devastating consequences for maternal and foetal health. Currently, Zika virus cases have been documented in a total of 75 countries and territories.

This study aims to generate new knowledge on the epidemiology and impact of ZIKV infection in pregnancy that may foster the identification of most adequate strategies to prevent the deleterious effects of ZV on maternal and foetal health. In order to address this, we are carrying out a hospital-based surveillance study of ZIKV infection in pregnant women travelling from affected areas that allow to rapidly identify ZIKV positive cases in pregnant women, to evaluate the negative effects of ZIKV infection in pregnancy, and to understand the in-utero mechanisms of infection and the role of the placenta.