Molecular diagnosis of Zika virus infections

Background: Globally, the recent outbreak of Zika virus (ZIKV) in Brazil, Asia Pacific, and other countries highlighted the unmet medical needs. Currently, there are neither effective vaccines nor therapeutics available to prevent or treat ZIKV infection. Objective: In this study, we aimed to design an epitope-based vaccine for ZIKV using an in silico approach to predict and analyze B- and T-cell epitopes. Methods: The prediction of the most antigenic epitopes has targeted the capsid and the envelope proteins as well as nonstructural proteins NS5 and NS3 using immune-informatics tools PROTPARAM, CFSSP, PSIPRED, and Vaxijen v2.0. B and T-cell epitopes were predicted using ABCpred, IEDB, TepiTool, and their toxicity were evaluated using ToxinPred. The 3-dimensional epitope structures were generated by PEP-FOLD. Energy minimization was performed using Swiss-Pdb Viewer, and molecular docking was conducted using PatchDock and FireDock server. Results: As a result, we predicted 307 epitopes of MHCI (major histocompatibility complex class I) and 102 epitopes of MHCII (major histocompatibility complex class II). Based on immunogenicity and antigenicity scores, we identified the four most antigenic MHC I epitopes: MVLAILAFLR (HLA-A*68 :01), ETLHGTVTV (HLA-A*68 :02), DENHPYRTW (HLA-B*44 :02),QEGVFHTMW (HLA-B*44 :03) and TASGRVIEEW (HLA-B*58:01), and MHC II epitopes: IIKKFKKDLAAMLRI (HLA-DRB3*02 :02), ENSKMMLELDPPFGD (HLA-DRB3*01:01), HAETWFFDENHPYRT (HLA-DRB3*01:01), TDGVYRVMTRRLLGS (HLA-DRB1*11 :01), and DGCWYGMEIRPRKEP (HLA-DRB5*01:01). Conclusion : This study provides novel potential B cell and T cell epitopes to fight Zika virus infections and may prompt further development of vaccines against ZIKV and other emerging infectious diseases. However, further investigations for protective immune response by in vitro and in vivo studies to ratify the immunogenicity, safety of the predicted structure, and ultimately the vaccine properties to prevent ZIKV infections are warranted.

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Intrinsically conductive polymers hybrid bilayer films for the fluorescence molecular diagnosis of the Zika virus

Colloids and Surfaces B Biointerfaces ◽

10.1016/j.colsurfb.2021.112120 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 208 ◽

pp. 112120

Author(s):

Kamila T.O. do Nascimento ◽

Gabriela P. Ratkovski ◽

Graciela da C. Pedro ◽

Filipe D.S. Gorza ◽

Romário J. da Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Diagnosis ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Conductive Polymers ◽

Bilayer Films

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Serological Differences after Acute Zika Virus Infections between Children and Adults: Implication for Use of a Serological Test

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene ◽

10.4269/ajtmh.21-0134 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jurai Wongsawat ◽

Patama Suttha ◽

Sumalee Chanama ◽

Somkid Srisopa ◽

Nichapa Yonchoho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Zika Virus ◽

Nonstructural Protein ◽

Serological Test ◽

Cross Reactivity ◽

Virus Infections ◽

Positive Real ◽

Nonstructural Protein 1 ◽

Age Related ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Post Onset

Information is limited regarding differential serological responses after acute Zika virus (ZIKV) infections and prevalence of cross-reactivity with anti-dengue virus (DENV) assays comparing children and adults. Early convalescent sera from a cohort of suspected mild DENV cases between December 2016 and September 2018 at Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute in Thailand were tested for nonstructural protein 1 (NS1)–based anti-ZIKV IgM and IgG ELISAs (Euroimmun), and in-house anti-DENV IgM- and IgG-capture ELISAs. ZIKV cases were identified by positive real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction on urine. Sera from 26 (10 children and 16 adults) ZIKV and 237 (153 children and 74 adults) non-ZIKA cases collected at the median duration of 18 days (interquartile range [IQR] 18,19) post-onset of symptoms were tested. Comparing pediatric ZIKV to adult ZIKV cases, the mean anti-ZIKV IgM ratio was higher (2.12 versus 1.27 units, respectively; P = 0.07), whereas mean anti-ZIKV IgG ratio was lower (3.13 versus 4.24 units, respectively; P = 0.03). Sensitivity of anti-ZIKV IgM and specificity of anti-ZIKV IgG in pediatric ZIKV were higher than in adult ZIKV cases (80.0% versus 43.7% and 79.1% versus 43.2%, respectively). No cross-reactivity with anti-DENV IgM- and IgG-capture ELISA were reported in pediatric ZIKV cases in our study, whereas 25% and 12.5% were found in adult ZIKV cases, respectively. Age-related ZIKV serological differences have been observed. Positive NS1-based anti-ZIKV IgM and IgG ELISA at the early convalescent phase could be useful for ZIKV diagnosis in children, even in a dengue endemic setting.

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Zika virus infections in travellers and contacts in Lombardy, Northern Italy 2016

Journal of Clinical Virology ◽

10.1016/j.jcv.2016.08.039 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 82 ◽

pp. S21

Author(s):

Francesca Rovida ◽

Giulia Campanini ◽

Elena Percivalle ◽

Maurizio Zavattoni ◽

Antonella Sarasini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Zika Virus ◽

Northern Italy ◽

Virus Infections

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Vector distribution and transmission risk of the Zika virus in South and Central America

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.7920 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. e7920

Author(s):

Sarah Cunze ◽

Judith Kochmann ◽

Lisa K. Koch ◽

Elisa Genthner ◽

Sven Klimpel

Keyword(s):

South America ◽

Central America ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Habitat Suitability ◽

Virus Transmission ◽

Transmission Risk ◽

Eastern Coast ◽

Suitable Habitat ◽

Virus Infections ◽

Vector Species

Background Zika is of great medical relevance due to its rapid geographical spread in 2015 and 2016 in South America and its serious implications, for example, certain birth defects. Recent epidemics urgently require a better understanding of geographic patterns of the Zika virus transmission risk. This study aims to map the Zika virus transmission risk in South and Central America. We applied the maximum entropy approach, which is common for species distribution modelling, but is now also widely in use for estimating the geographical distribution of infectious diseases. Methods As predictor variables we used a set of variables considered to be potential drivers of both direct and indirect effects on the emergence of Zika. Specifically, we considered (a) the modelled habitat suitability for the two main vector species Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus as a proxy of vector species distributions; (b) temperature, as it has a great influence on virus transmission; (c) commonly called evidence consensus maps (ECM) of human Zika virus infections on a regional scale as a proxy for virus distribution; (d) ECM of human dengue virus infections and, (e) as possibly relevant socio-economic factors, population density and the gross domestic product. Results The highest values for the Zika transmission risk were modelled for the eastern coast of Brazil as well as in Central America, moderate values for the Amazon basin and low values for southern parts of South America. The following countries were modelled to be particularly affected: Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. While modelled vector habitat suitability as predictor variable showed the highest contribution to the transmission risk model, temperature of the warmest quarter contributed only comparatively little. Areas with optimal temperature conditions for virus transmission overlapped only little with areas of suitable habitat conditions for the two main vector species. Instead, areas with the highest transmission risk were characterised as areas with temperatures below the optimum of the virus, but high habitat suitability modelled for the two main vector species. Conclusion Modelling approaches can help estimating the spatial and temporal dynamics of a disease. We focused on the key drivers relevant in the Zika transmission cycle (vector, pathogen, and hosts) and integrated each single component into the model. Despite the uncertainties generally associated with modelling, the approach applied in this study can be used as a tool and assist decision making and managing the spread of Zika.

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Asymptomatic Prenatal Zika Virus Infection and Congenital Zika Syndrome

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofy073 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Enny S Paixao ◽

Wei-Yee Leong ◽

Laura C Rodrigues ◽

Annelies Wilder-Smith

Keyword(s):

Virus Infection ◽

Birth Defects ◽

Prospective Studies ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Retrospective Studies ◽

Recall Bias ◽

Virus Infections ◽

Fetal Outcomes ◽

Zika Virus Infection ◽

Congenital Zika Syndrome

Abstract To investigate to what extent asymptomatic vs symptomatic prenatal Zika virus infections contribute to birth defects, we identified 3 prospective and 8 retrospective studies. The ratio varied greatly in the retrospective studies, most likely due to recruitment and recall bias. The prospective studies revealed a ratio of 1:1 for asymptomatic vs symptomatic maternal Zika infections resulting in adverse fetal outcomes.

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