title: [Early maternal-fetal transmission of the Chikungunya virus].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since the onset of the Chikungunya outbreak in Reunion Island, vertical maternal-fetal transmission of the virus has been observed in newborns, but no such transmission has been demonstrated early during pregnancy. We report here the first three cases of maternal-fetal transmission of the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) before 16 weeks' gestational age.
  
  
  METHODS
  Maternal infections occurred at terms of 12 weeks and 4 days, 15 weeks and 5 days, and 15 weeks and were confirmed by positive findings for specific anti-CHIKV IgM. Fetal deaths were subsequently observed, and at that point, CHIKV RT-PCR was negative for all three maternal blood samples. Amniocentesis preceded rupture of membranes in all three cases. RT-PCR showed viral genome in the amniotic fluid of the three fetuses, in the placentas of two, and in the brains of two. Autopsy found no malformations, and all other bacterial and viral test results were negative.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings demonstrate early maternal-fetal transmission of CHIKV, which is suspected to be directly linked to the fetal deaths. This vertical transmission, probably abortifacient, should be considered in the light of human and animal responses to other arboviruses.
authors.affiliation: Service de gynéco-obstétrique.
authors.forename: Yasmina
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Touret
authors.affiliation: Unité de médecine fœtale et de fœtopathologie.
authors.forename: Hanitra
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Randrianaivo
authors.affiliation: Service de virologie, GHSR, Saint Pierre de la Réunion.
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Michault
authors.affiliation: Centre national de référence des arbovirus, Institut Pasteur, Lyon (69).
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Schuffenecker
authors.affiliation: Service de gynéco-obstétrique.
authors.forename: Edouard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kauffmann
authors.affiliation: Service de gynéco-obstétrique.
authors.forename: Yann
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lenglet
authors.affiliation: Service de gynéco-obstétrique.
authors.forename: Georges
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Barau
authors.affiliation: Unité de médecine fœtale et de fœtopathologie. Electronic address: a.fourmaintraux@wanadoo.fr.
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fourmaintraux
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018354:Alphavirus Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D002646:Chikungunya virus; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000821:virology*