Effect of Sexual Partnerships on Zika Virus Transmission in Virus-Endemic Region, Northeast Brazil

The epidemiologic effects of Zika virus (ZIKV) sexual transmission in virus-endemic countries remain unclear. We conducted a 2-level, linear mixed-effects logistic regression analysis by using a recently acquired population-based ZIKV and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) serologic dataset obtained from pe...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Tereza Magalhaes, Flávio Codeço Coelho, Wayner V. Souza, Isabelle F.T. Viana, Thomas Jaenisch, Ernesto T.A. Marques, Brian D. Foy, Cynthia Braga
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2024-12-01
Series:Emerging Infectious Diseases
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Online Access:https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/30/12/23-1733_article
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Summary:The epidemiologic effects of Zika virus (ZIKV) sexual transmission in virus-endemic countries remain unclear. We conducted a 2-level, linear mixed-effects logistic regression analysis by using a recently acquired population-based ZIKV and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) serologic dataset obtained from persons residing in Northeast Brazil (n = 2,070 participants). We adjusted mathematical models for housing type and age of participants; the models indicated a significantly higher likelihood of ZIKV seropositivity among persons engaged in a sexual relationship within the same household (odds ratio 1.25 [95% CI 1.00–1.55]; p = 0.047), regardless of their partner’s ZIKV serostatus, and among participants with a ZIKV-seropositive sex partner within the same household (odds ratio 1.54 [95% CI 1.18–2.01]; p = 0.002). CHIKV was also modeled as a control; no sex-associated effects were observed for CHIKV serology. Inclusion of ZIKV sexual transmission in prevention and control strategies is urgently needed, particularly in ZIKV-endemic regions.
ISSN:1080-6040
1080-6059