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The Emerging Zika Virus Threat: A Guide for Dermatologists

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Abstract

We provide a guide for dermatologists to follow if they encounter patients with a rash and clinical history suspicious of Zika virus infection, including diagnostic testing and management options. We also provide an illustrative case report of a patient from Brazil who was diagnosed with Zika virus infection after presenting with a generalized pruritic rash. One of the most prominent symptoms of Zika virus infection is a cutaneous eruption. As such, it is especially necessary for dermatologists to understand this virus so that they may appropriately recognize this entity as a diagnostic consideration in the clinic. The rash associated with Zika virus infection is most commonly an erythematous maculopapular eruption that presents after an initial 3–4 days of fever, headache, and arthralgia or myalgia. The rash typically lasts for an average of 6 days, and can spread to involve any part of the body, including the face, torso, extremities, palms, and soles.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Ana Maria Bispo de Filippis and team from the Flavivirus Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute/Oswaldo Cruz Foundation for helping with the molecular biology procedures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Alice He & Shawn G. Kwatra

  2. Acute Febrile Illnesses Laboratory, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Patrícia Brasil, Andre M. Siqueira & Guilherme A. Calvet

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  1. Alice He
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Correspondence to Alice He.

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Alice He, Patrícia Brasil, Andre M. Siqueira, Guilherme A. Calvet, and Shawn G. Kwatra declare that they have no conflicts of interest relevant to the content of this article.

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He, A., Brasil, P., Siqueira, A.M. et al. The Emerging Zika Virus Threat: A Guide for Dermatologists. Am J Clin Dermatol 18, 231–236 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-016-0243-z

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