Zika Virus Infection and Colorectal Involvement

Abstract

Dear Editor, In medicine, the clinical spectrum of vector-borne diseases is an important issue. In particular, the colorectal involvement of these diseases has attracted much interest. In a previous publication, the interrelationship between the dengue virus and colorectal disease was explored (1). In the present article, the author would like to highlight the importance of investigating the relationship between Zika virus infection and colorectal disease. Zika virus disease is an emerging vector-borne disease presently considered as a significant public health problem. As a new disease, further clinical research on this condition is still required. To the best of our knowledge, the colorectal presentation of Zika virus infection is yet to be reported. Nevertheless, it has already been ascertained that the Zika virus can infect the colorectal mucosa (2). In a recent report by Li et al. the Zika virus was reported to be able to infect rectal mucosa, with this pathology being related to the fecal shedding of the virus (2). The Zika virus can also be detected using rectal swabs (3, 4); a recent report demonstrated that rectal swab samples led to positive viral tests in 10% of patients infected with the Zika virus (4). Rectal infection with the Zika virus can explain the disease transmission via homosexual contact, which is an important mode of Zika virus infection (5). It can also imply the necessity for infection control during any medical procedure involving the colorectal area. Finally, it is an interesting research issue to follow up whether any clinical problems are caused by Zika virus infection at the colorectal mucosa.