Antenatal diagnosis of intrauterine infection with coxsackievirus B3 associated with live birth.

BACKGROUND

Prior reported cases of stillbirth and neonates infected with enteroviruses suggest transplacental infection. We present a case of fetal infection with coxsackievirus B3, diagnosed antenatally and resulting in live birth.

CASE: A pregnant woman presented at 26 weeks with fetal tachycardia and non-immune hydrops fetalis. Coxsackievirus B3 was cultured from amniotic fluid. Maternal antibody to coxsackievirus B3 was positive at 1:512. At 32 weeks, the fetus deteriorated and was delivered. Cord blood antibody to coxsackievirus B3 was positive at a higher titer. Following neonatal death, brain and placental tissues were positive for enterovirus ribonucleic acid by polymerase chain reaction.

CONCLUSION

Intrauterine infection by enteroviruses should be considered in the differential diagnosis of non-immune hydrops fetalis. Antenatal diagnosis of coxsackievirus B3 infection is associated with poor outcome.