Case report: Microcephaly in twins due to the Zika Virus

Abstract

Recent studies have demonstrated an association between congenital Zika virus (ZIKV) infection and microcephaly; however, to date, there have been no reports on the consequences of ZIKV infection on fetuses in twin pregnancies. Herein, we reported on the first case of a monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twin pregnancy having ZIKV-related microcephaly. Our findings suggested that, in an MCDA twin pregnancy, the ZIKV may cause infection in both fetuses, resulting in severe abnormalities in the central nervous system due to neural cell destruction and the disruption of the normal development processes of the brain. This case report and other similar twincasesmay help to understand the pathogenesis and to confirm the etiology of ZIKV as a teratogenicmicroorganism. © 2017 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.