Letter to the Editor

Best Zika Virus Detection: Saliva, Serum, or Urine?

Authors: Priyanga Jayakumar, MD, Kanwarjeet Brar, MD, Steven Lippmann, MD

Abstract

To the Editor: Zika, an arbovirus belonging to the family Flaviviridae, is similar to the arboviruses dengue and West Nile virus.1Zika virus infection in humans can be detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction testing (RT-PCR), the M-antibody capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, or the plaque reproduction neutralization test. The virus is detected in almost all body fluids, including saliva, serum, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, semen, amniotic fluid, breast milk, and placenta.1 The duration of available viral presence in these fluids may determine the best method of Zika virus detection, however.

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References

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