Recombination of B- and T-cell epitope-rich loci from Aedes- and Culex-borne flaviviruses shapes Zika virus epidemiology
by Gaunt et al.Findings from this article explain why explosive ZIKV epidemics occurred in DENV-endemic regions of Micronesia, Polynesia and the Americas where Culex-borne flavivirus outbreaks are infrequent, and why ZIKV did not cause major epidemics in Asia where Culex-borne flaviviruses are widespread.
Zika seroprevalence declines and neutralizing antibodies wane in adults following outbreaks in French Polynesia and Fiji
by Henderson et al.Data from this study suggest that immunity against the Zika virus may not last as long as previously thought, which could affect the chances of future outbreaks.
ZIKV infection induces robust Th1-like Tfh cell and long-term protective antibody responses in immunocompetent mice
by Liang et al.This study suggests that specific modulation of the Th1-like Tfh cell response during infection or vaccination may augment the induction of antiviral antibody response to ZIKV and other viruses.
In this study, researchers evaluated the propensity of Aedes aegypti to transmit mechanically Zika virus (ZIKV) using an experimental design.
The results of the present study reveal that the tested Ae. caspius population has a strong midgut escape barrier that limits the dissemination or transmission of the virus. As such, it seems unlikely that European Ae. caspius mosquitoes could be involved in ZIKV transmission if ZIKV was introduced into Europe. This information may help in designing a better strategy to European surveillance and control programmes for ZIKV.
Zika Virus Seroprevalence in Urban and Rural Areas of Suriname, 2017
by Langerak et al.In Suriname, 770 participants were recruited from 1 urban area and 2 rural villages in the tropical rainforest in order to conduct a ZIKV serosurvey. Researchers found that 35.1% of the participants had neutralizing antibodies against ZIKV. In 1 remote village in the rainforest, 24.5% of the participants had neutralizing antibodies against ZIKV, suggesting that ZIKV was widely spread across the country.
Zika virus infection perturbs osteoblast function
by Mumtaz et al.Researchers have developed and characterized a new in vitro model to study the role of bone development in ZIKV pathogenesis, which will help to identify possible new targets for developing therapeutic and preventive measures.
A clinical and histopathological study of malformations observed in fetuses infected by the Zika virus
by Beaufrère et al.The present study reports on the clinical and histopathological findings observed in three fetuses infected by the ZIKV. It emphasizes the severity of brain damages and the minimal visceral and placental changes observed upon ZIKV infection. This confirms the selective neurotropism of ZIKV. Finally, it allows us to describe the cascade of multifactorial developmental defects leading to microcephaly.