Untargeted Metabolomics Insights into Newborns with Congenital Zika Infection
Estéfane da C. Nunes,
Ana M. B. de Filippis,
Taiane do E. S. Pereira,
Nieli R. da C. Faria,
Álvaro Salgado,
Cleiton S. Santos,
Teresa C. P. X. Carvalho,
Juan I. Calcagno,
Flávia L. L. Chalhoub,
David Brown,
Marta Giovanetti,
Luiz C. J. Alcantara,
Fernanda K. Barreto,
Isadora C. de Siqueira,
Gisele A. B. Canuto
Affiliations
Estéfane da C. Nunes
Departamento de Química Analítica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Rua Barao de Jeremoabo, 147, Salvador, BA 40170-115, Brazil
Ana M. B. de Filippis
Laboratório de Flavivírus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Avenida Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-900, Brazil
Taiane do E. S. Pereira
Departamento de Química Analítica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Rua Barao de Jeremoabo, 147, Salvador, BA 40170-115, Brazil
Nieli R. da C. Faria
Laboratório de Flavivírus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Avenida Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-900, Brazil
Álvaro Salgado
Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
Cleiton S. Santos
Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fiocruz, Rua Waldemar Falcão, 121, Salvador, BA 40295-010, Brazil
Teresa C. P. X. Carvalho
Maternidade de Referência Professor José Maria de Magalhães Neto, SESAB, Rua Marquês de Maricá, Salvador, BA 40310-000, Brazil
Juan I. Calcagno
Maternidade de Referência Professor José Maria de Magalhães Neto, SESAB, Rua Marquês de Maricá, Salvador, BA 40310-000, Brazil
Flávia L. L. Chalhoub
Laboratório de Flavivírus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Avenida Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-900, Brazil
David Brown
Laboratório de Flavivírus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Avenida Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-900, Brazil
Marta Giovanetti
Laboratório de Flavivírus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Avenida Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-900, Brazil
Luiz C. J. Alcantara
Laboratório de Flavivírus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Avenida Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-900, Brazil
Fernanda K. Barreto
Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Rua Hormindo Barros, 58, Vitória da Conquista, BA 45029-094, Brazil
Isadora C. de Siqueira
Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fiocruz, Rua Waldemar Falcão, 121, Salvador, BA 40295-010, Brazil
Gisele A. B. Canuto
Departamento de Química Analítica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Rua Barao de Jeremoabo, 147, Salvador, BA 40170-115, Brazil
Zika virus (ZIKV), an emerging virus belonging to the Flaviviridae family, causes severe neurological clinical complications and has been associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome, fetal abnormalities known collectively as congenital Zika syndrome, and microcephaly. Studies have shown that ZIKV infection can alter cellular metabolism, directly affecting neural development. Brain growth requires controlled cellular metabolism, which is essential for cell proliferation and maturation. However, little is known regarding the metabolic profile of ZIKV-infected newborns and possible associations related to microcephaly. Furthering the understanding surrounding underlying mechanisms is essential to developing personalized treatments for affected individuals. Thus, metabolomics, the study of the metabolites produced by or modified in an organism, constitutes a valuable approach in the study of complex diseases. Here, 26 serum samples from ZIKV-positive newborns with or without microcephaly, as well as controls, were analyzed using an untargeted metabolomics approach involving gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Significant alterations in essential and non-essential amino acids, as well as carbohydrates (including aldohexoses, such as glucose or mannose) and their derivatives (urea and pyruvic acid), were observed in the metabolic profiles analyzed. Our results provide insight into relevant metabolic processes in patients with ZIKV and microcephaly.