Neurodevelopment in Infants Exposed to Zika Virus In Utero
by Lopes Moreira et al.Letter to the Editor
A yellow fever–Zika chimeric virus vaccine candidate protects against Zika infection and congenital malformations in mice
by Kum et al.The authors of this study report the engineering of a chimeric virus vaccine candidate (YF-ZIKprM/E) by replacing the antigenic surface glycoproteins and the capsid anchor of YFV-17D with those of a prototypic Asian lineage ZIKV isolate.
Researchers report on a class of rhodanine and thiobarbituric derivatives displaying a broad spectrum antiviral activity against seven different enveloped viruses including an HSV-2 acyclovir resistant strain with favorable selectivity indexes.
Within the Zika virus (ZIKV) research community, a new and remarkable kind of collaboration is taking place
by EU Zika ConsortiaPotential of Aedes albopictus as a bridge vector for enzootic pathogens at the urban-forest interface in Brazil
by dos Santos et al.Results from this study show that Ae. albopictus frequency declines as it penetrates into the forest and highlight its potential role as a bridge vector of zoonotic diseases at the edge of the Brazilian forests studied.
ZIKAlliance travels to Peru and Ecuador
by ZIKAllianceZika 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.
Favipiravir inhibits in vitro Usutu virus replication and delays disease progression in an infection model in mice
by Guerrero et al.This study shows that treatment of mice with favipiravir (150 mg/kg/dose, BID, oral gavage) significantly reduced viral load in blood and tissues and significantly delayed virus-induced disease. The USUV mouse model is amenable for assessing the potential in vivo efficacy of (novel) USUV/flavivirus inhibitors.
Familiar barriers still unresolved - a perspective on the Zika virus outbreak research response
by Koopmans et al.The authors of this study have identified three major bottlenecks in the implementation of a swift response to the increasing frequency of widespread infectious disease outbreaks: the absence of a timeline for the funding process, delays in regulatory and ethical approval, and the challenging logistics of laboratory support, including diagnostics.
Estimating the risk of Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika outbreaks in a large European city
by Solimini et al.The model provided in this study correctly estimates the number of imported cases and can be easily adapted to other urban areas where Ae. albopictus is the only potential vector present.
Research Models and Tools for the Identification of Antivirals and Therapeutics against Zika Virus Infection
by Alves et al.This review focuses on the recent advances regarding research models, as well as available experimental tools that can be used for the identification and characterization of potential antiviral targets and therapeutic intervention strategies.
Potential effect of Zika virus infection on human male fertility?
by Avelino-Silva et al.The findings from this study suggest a possible long-term detrimental effect of ZIKV infection on human male fertility that has to be further explored in well-characterized samples from cohort studies conducted in ZIKV-endemic areas.
In the present study, the authors investigate the metabolomic profile of ZIKV-infected microglia.
Projecting the end of the Zika virus epidemic in Latin America: a modelling analysis
by O'Reilly et al.The findings in this article suggest that the ZIKV epidemic is by and large over within LAC, with incidence projected to be low in most cities in 2018. Local low levels of transmission are probable, but the estimated rate of infection suggests that most cities have a population with high levels of herd immunity.
Zika virus infects human testicular tissue and germ cells
by Matusali et al.This study provides key insights into how ZIKV may persist in semen and alter semen parameters, as well as a valuable tool for testing antiviral agents.
Differential transmission of Asian and African Zika virus lineages by Aedes aegypti from New Caledonia
by Calvez et al.The results of this study demonstrate that Ae. aegypti from New Caledonia can become infected and replicate different ZIKV strains belonging to all lineages. These data emphasize the importance of studying the interaction between vectors and their arboviruses according to each local geographic context.
These results establish a framework for monitoring YFV transmission in real time that will contribute to a global strategy to eliminate future YFV epidemics.
Lessons learnt from the emergence of Zika virus
by Lecuit & NguyenComment
Exhaustive TORCH Pathogen Diagnostics Corroborate Zika Virus Etiology of Congenital Malformations in Northeastern Brazil
by Moreira-Soto et al.Data from this study support a link between maternal ZIKV infection and congenital malformations and suggest the occurrence of predominantly vector-borne ZIKV transmission in these cases. In addition, some highly prevalent TORCH pathogens may be misinterpreted as representative of ongoing ZIKV activity in the absence of exhaustive diagnostics in northeastern Brazil.
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.