16th International Dengue Course organized by the Institute of Tropical Medicine "Pedro Kourí"
by ZIKAllianceComplex Scenario of Homotypic and Heterotypic Zika Virus Immune Enhancement
by Marques & DrexlerLetter to the Editor
Sloths host Anhanga virus‐related phleboviruses across large distances in time and space
by de Oliveira Filho et al.In this study, researchers confirmed the association of Anhanga virus (ANHV)‐related viruses with both extant two‐toed sloth species in the Choloepus genus across 3,000 km distance and half a century between the both detections.
ZIKAlliance and ReCoDID working together to promote data and sample sharing across infectious disease cohort studies
by ZIKAllianceCross-Protection of Dengue Virus Infection against Congenital Zika Syndrome, Northeastern Brazil
by Pedroso et al.The results reported in this study suggest that multitypic dengue virus infection may protect from, rather than enhance, development of congenital Zika syndrome.
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 differentially infects human neural progenitor cells according to their state of differentiation and dysregulates neurogenesis through the Notch pathway
by Ferraris et al.Results from this research show that the differentiation state of hNPCs is a significant factor contributing to the outcome of ZIKV infection and furthermore suggest that ZIKV infection might initiate early activation of the Notch pathway resulting in an abnormal differentiation process, implicated in ZIKV-induced brain injury.
Enhanced Molecular Surveillance of Chikungunya Virus
by Fischer et al.The authors of this study developed two highly sensitive nested RT-PCR assays that cover hot spots of vector adaptation in CHIKV envelope domains. The new assays allow unprecedented molecular surveillance across all CHIKV genotypes and diagnostic use in resource-limited settings globally.
Phylogeography and invasion history of Aedes aegypti, the Dengue and Zika mosquito vector in Cape Verde islands (West Africa)
by Salgueiro et al.The authors of this study performed a phylogeographic and population genetics study of A. aegypti in Cape Verde in order to infer the geographic origin and evolutionary history of this mosquito.
This study shows a broad picture of possible interactions between mosquito cellular miRNAs and the viral RNA of different genotypes/lineages of arboviruses, providing a list of mosquito cellular miRNAs candidates for experimental validations in future studies.
Zika virus infection: an update
by Ferraris et al.Since the ZIKV outbreak in Brazil in 2015, the scientific community has joined efforts to gather more information on the epidemiology, clinical features and pathogenicity of the virus. Here, you can read a summary of the most important advances made recently and the discussion of promising, innovative approaches to understand and control ZIKV infection.
A snapshot on the impact of ZIKAlliance's scientific publications between December 2018 and April 2019
by ZIKAllianceCulex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes from Guadeloupe are not able to experimentally transmit ZIKV. It was also noticed better transmission of ZIKV strain from Senegal by Ae. aegypti from Guadeloupe compared to Malaysia and Martinique strains.
Past and future spread of the arbovirus vectors Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus
by Kraemer et al.This study offers an opportunity to strategically target surveillance and control programmes and thereby augment efforts to reduce arbovirus burden in human populations globally.
A Viral Polymerase Inhibitor Reduces Zika Virus Replication in the Reproductive Organs of Male Mice
by Jacobs et al.In this study, the authors explore the potential of antivirals to serve as an effective strategy to prevent sexual transmission. The data illustrate the value of a mouse model to validate the efficacy of new potential ZIKV drugs at the level of the male reproductive system.
The possible role of cross-reactive dengue virus antibodies in Zika virus pathogenesis
by Langerak et al.In this review, the authors summarize the results of the evidence to date and elaborate on other possible detrimental effects of cross-reactive flavivirus antibodies, both for ZIKV infection and the risk of ZIKV-related congenital anomalies, DENV infection, and dengue hemorrhagic fever.
Assessing Zika Virus Transmission Within Households During an Outbreak in Martinique, 2015–2016
by Cousien et al.This study characterized the contribution of household transmission in ZIKV epidemics, demonstrating the benefits of integrating multiple data sets to gain more insight into epidemic dynamics.
Data in this study suggest that the human upper respiratory tract epithelium is a target for flaviviruses and could potentially play a role in the spread of infection to other body compartments through basolateral virus release. Further work is required to evaluate the risks and define the adapted measures to protect individuals exposed to flavivirus-contaminated body fluids.
Zika virus infection among symptomatic patients from two healthcare centers in Sao Paulo State, Brazil: prevalence, clinical characteristics, viral detection in body fluids and serodynamics
by Tozetto-Mendoza et al.This study shows that urine ZIKV RT-PCR testing in the acute phase of infection can improve the sensitivity of diagnosis, while testing serum is probably less useful despite more sustained shedding in some cases. Higher sensitivity and specificity serological tests are needed for the diagnosis of patients who seek medical attention after the period of ZIKV detection by RT-PCR and for surveillance purposes in settings of high DENV background infection.