Zika Virus Infection Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this case was to investigate the association of the Zika virus infection in utero with the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as clinical outcome that presented no congenital anomalies. Methods: ASD was diagnosed in the second year of life by different child neurologists and confirmed by DSM-5 and ASQ. After that, an extensive clinical, epidemiological, and genetic evaluations were performed, with main known ASD causes ruled out. Results: An extensive laboratorial search was done, with normal findings. SNP array identified no pathogenic variants. Normal neuroimaging and EEG findings were also obtained. ZIKV (Zika virus) IgG was positive, while IgM was negative. Other congenital infections were negative. The exome sequencing did not reveal any pathogenic variant in genes related to ASD. Conclusion: Accordingly, this report firstly associates ZIKV exposure to ASD.