Neighbourhood-level income and Zika virus infection during pregnancy in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil: an ecological perspective, 2015–2017

Zika virus (ZIKV) infections during pregnancy can lead to adverse neurodevelopmental and clinical outcomes in congenitally infected offspring. As the city of Recife in Pernambuco State, Brazil—the epicentre of the Brazilian microcephaly epidemic—has considerable disparities in living conditions, this study used an ecological approach to investigate the association between income at the neighbourhood level and the risk of ZIKV infections in pregnant individuals between December 2015 and April 2017. The spatial distribution of pregnant individuals with ZIKV infection was plotted on a map of Recife stratified into four categories based on mean monthly income of household heads. Additionally, a Poisson regression model with robust variance was fitted to compare proportions of ZIKV infections among pregnant individuals in relation to the mean monthly income of household heads, based on the 2010 census data, across 94 neighbourhoods in Recife. The results provide evidence that the risk of ZIKV infection to pregnant individuals was higher among those residing in lower-income neighbourhoods: relative to neighbourhoods that had a mean monthly income of ≥5 times minimum wage, neighbourhoods with <1 and 1 to <2 times minimum wage had more than four times the risk (incidence rate ratio, 95% CI 4.08, 1.88 to 8.85 and 4.30, 2.00 to 9.20, respectively). This study provides evidence of a strong association between neighbourhood-level income and ZIKV infection risks in the pregnant population of Recife. In settings prone to arboviral outbreaks, locally targeted interventions to improve living conditions, sanitation, and mosquito control should be a key focus of governmental interventions to reduce risks associated with ZIKV infections during pregnancy.

Download Full-text

Zika virus epidemiology: from Uganda to world pandemic, an update

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268818000419 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 146 (6) ◽

pp. 673-679 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

C. Talero-Gutiérrez ◽

A. Rivera-Molina ◽

C. Pérez-Pavajeau ◽

I. Ossa-Ospina ◽

C. Santos-García ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Problem ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Mosquito Control ◽

Neurological Diseases ◽

Local Population ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Control Measures ◽

Control Treatment ◽

Zikv Infection

AbstractZika virus (ZIKV) infection is an emergent worldwide public health problem. Historically, 84 countries have reported vector-borne ZIKV transmission, 61 of which report on-going transmission. It is a Flavivirus transmitted through arthropods belonging to the Aedes genus. Since 2015, ZIKV infections have increased dramatically; with 1.3 million people infected during 2015 in Brazil alone. This paper's objective is to highlight the conjectural epidemiological points of the virus’ dissemination. The digital archives Pubmed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane were searched for papers that assessed aspects of ZIKV transmission and epidemiology. The first isolation occurred in Uganda in 1947. Since then, important outbreaks were documented globally. Consequently, an emergent public health problem arose from a rapidly increasing incidence and its association with the development of neurological diseases such as microcephaly and Guillain–Barré syndrome. Key factors in the successful containment of outbreaks include surveillance of mosquitos in the neighbourhood, an early mosquito control treatment, an assertive information campaign, and the involvement of the local population and healthcare workers. As such, while ZIKV seems to be spreading globally in a similar manner to other arboviruses, such as Dengue and Chikungunya viruses, it can also be rapidly contained due to the pre-existing availability of necessary resources and regulatory tools as control measures. This review aims to provide a description of those characteristics of ZIKV infection that may be useful in the construction of effective outbreak control strategies.

Download Full-text

Differences in perceived severity of Zika virus infection and dengue fever and its influence on mosquito control practices in malaysia, a dengue-endemic country

10.1101/061622 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Li Ping Wong ◽

Haridah Alias ◽

Nasrin Aghamohammadi ◽

I-Ching Sam ◽

Sazaly Abu Bakar

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Dengue Fever ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Mosquito Control ◽

Public Health Emergency ◽

Endemic Country ◽

Zikv Infection ◽

Perceived Severity ◽

The Public ◽

Before And After

AbstractBackgroundIt is important to study the concerns over the Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak among the general public in dengue-endemic countries such as Malaysia, as both diseases are transmitted by the same vector species. Furthermore, investigation of public prevention measures for ZIKV is essential in order to identify the gaps in mosquito control practices. The aims of this study were to explore the differences in 1) the perception of severity towards ZIKV infection and dengue fever, and 2) mosquito control practices before and after the ZIKV outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).MethodData were collected between February 2015 and May 2016 using a computer-assisted telephone interviewing system on a random sample of 567 people from the general Malaysian population aged above 18 years from randomly selected households.ResultsThe median scale score for perceived severity of ZIKV was 3 (interquartile range [IQR] 1-5) versus 4 (IQR 3-5) for dengue (P<0.001). The majority perceived dengue as being more severe than ZIKV (41.6%). Having friends or acquaintances that had died from dengue was significantly associated with higher perceived severity of ZIKV than dengue (odds ratio [OR] 1.913 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.032-3.547]). The scores for mosquito control practices before and after ZIKV was declared a PHEIC were similar, at 4 (IQR 3-5). Multivariate analysis revealed that participants with a higher score for perception of severity of ZIKV were more likely to report greater mosquito control practices after the declaration of the PHEIC (OR 1.822 [95% CI 1.107-2.998]).ConclusionsThe emerging ZIKV pandemic requires concerted efforts to enhance mosquito control practices among the Malaysian public. Efforts to improve public mosquito control practices should focus on enhancing the perception of the severity of ZIKV.Author summaryInvestigation of the public perception of the severity of the re-emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) in Malaysia, a dengue-endemic country, is of immense importance. It is also vital to know whether the public has heightened their mosquito prevention practices after the declaration of ZIKV as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The aim of this study was to explore the differences in 1) the perception of severity towards ZIKV infection and dengue fever, and 2) mosquito control practices before and after the ZIKV outbreak was declared a PHEIC. Findings showed that the public has a lower perception of severity of ZIKV than of dengue. Mosquito prevention practices were the same before and after the declaration of a PHEIC. People with a higher perception of severity of ZIKV reported higher mosquito control practices after the declaration of a PHEIC. The emerging ZIKV pandemic requires concerted efforts to enhance mosquito control practices among the Malaysian public. Efforts to improve public mosquito control practices should focus on enhancing the perception of severity of the ZIKV.

Download Full-text

Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Preventive Measures of Zika Virus Infection: A Review Update

Bangladesh Journal of Infectious Diseases ◽

10.3329/bjid.v3i1.32586 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 17-23

Author(s):

Rezina Parveen ◽

Shaheen Ara Begum ◽

Ishrat Sharmin ◽

Rashida Akhter Khanam ◽

Md Sabbir Quadir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Virus Infection ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Mosquito Control ◽

Virus Transmission ◽

Sexual Contact ◽

Testing System ◽

Aedes Mosquito ◽

Zikv Infection ◽

Zika Virus Infection

The relation between ZIKV infection during pregnancy and microcephaly in neonate has been established by the Brazillian Ministry of Health. Therefore, more attention regarding control of Aedes mosquito is required. Since it transmits this disease, which has more disastrous consequences than dengue viral infection. Potentially effective methods of prevention that are focused on reducing infections among pregnant women include avoiding unnecessary travel to areas of ongoing Zika virus transmission, avoiding unprotected sexual contact with partners who are at risk for Zika virus infection. According to Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Reseaech (IEDCR) there is nothing to panic at this moment for Bangladesh, but they stressed on mosquito control, which is the only tool to prevent and fight off Zika virus. They however, could not mention how the virus came to Bangladesh. May be somebody brought it while travelling. There is good survillence and testing system to detect the disease in Bangladesh.Bangladesh Journal of Infectious Diseases 2016;3(1):17-23

Download Full-text

ZIKATracker: A mobile App for reporting cases of ZIKV worldwide

The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries ◽

10.3855/jidc.8248 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 10 (02) ◽

pp. 113-115 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Alyson Ann Kelvin ◽

David Banner ◽

Luciano Pamplona ◽

Carlos Alencar ◽

Salvatore Rubino ◽

...

Keyword(s):

North America ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Mosquito Control ◽

Mobile App ◽

Control Measures ◽

Zikv Infection ◽

Developmental Defects ◽

Neurological Sequelae ◽

South Central

We have developed a mobile App called ZIKATracker (zikatracker.net) to voluntarily be used to report ZIKV cases on a public or private level. As the Zika virus (ZIKV) infection zones are rapidly expanding across South, Central, and North America, and reports have emerged linking ZIKV infection with developmental defects and neurological sequelae, reporting the movement and sequelae of ZIKV is essential. ZIKATracker is a multi-lingual App (English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese) freely available to anyone worldwide wishing to report a suspected or confirmed case of Zika virus and related symptoms. Knowledge gained from the use of this App will help direct the implementation of mosquito control measures in needed areas, bring aid to those affected by the Zika virus, and understand the movement and sequelae of ZIKV as it spreads through communities and across continents.

Download Full-text

Gut microbiota modulation induced by Zika virus infection in immunocompetent mice

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-80893-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Rafael Corrêa ◽

Igor de Oliveira Santos ◽

Heloísa Antoniella Braz-de-Melo ◽

Lívia Pimentel de Sant’Ana ◽

Raquel das Neves Almeida ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Gut Microbiome ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Hypervariable Region ◽

Microbiota Composition ◽

Colon Tissue ◽

Zikv Infection ◽

Immunological Responses ◽

Immunocompetent Mice ◽

Gut Microbiota Composition

AbstractGut microbiota composition can modulate neuroendocrine function, inflammation, and cellular and immunological responses against different pathogens, including viruses. Zika virus (ZIKV) can infect adult immunocompetent individuals and trigger brain damage and antiviral responses. However, it is not known whether ZIKV infection could impact the gut microbiome from adult immunocompetent mice. Here, we investigated modifications induced by ZIKV infection in the gut microbiome of immunocompetent C57BL/6J mice. Adult C57BL/6J mice were infected with ZIKV and the gut microbiota composition was analyzed by next-generation sequencing of the V4 hypervariable region present in the bacterial 16S rDNA gene. Our data showed that ZIKV infection triggered a significant decrease in the bacteria belonging to Actinobacteria and Firmicutes phyla, and increased Deferribacteres and Spirochaetes phyla components compared to uninfected mice. Interestingly, ZIKV infection triggered a significant increase in the abundance of bacteria from the Spirochaetaceae family in the gut microbiota. Lastly, we demonstrated that modulation of microbiota induced by ZIKV infection may lead to intestinal epithelium damage and intense leukocyte recruitment to the intestinal mucosa. Taken together, our data demonstrate that ZIKV infection can impact the gut microbiota composition and colon tissue homeostasis in adult immunocompetent mice.

Download Full-text

Association between Genetic Variants in NOS2 and TNF Genes with Congenital Zika Syndrome and Severe Microcephaly

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13020325 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 325

Author(s):

Julia A. Gomes ◽

Eduarda Sgarioni ◽

Juliano A. Boquett ◽

Ana Cláudia P. Terças-Trettel ◽

Juliana H. da Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Genetic Variants ◽

Educational Level ◽

Congenital Anomalies ◽

Family Income ◽

First Trimester ◽

In Utero ◽

Zikv Infection ◽

Congenital Zika Syndrome

Zika virus (ZIKV) causes Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) in individuals exposed prenatally. Here, we investigated polymorphisms in VEGFA, PTGS2, NOS3, TNF, and NOS2 genes as risk factors to CZS. Forty children with CZS and forty-eight children who were in utero exposed to ZIKV infection, but born without congenital anomalies, were evaluated. Children with CZS were predominantly infected by ZIKV in the first trimester (p < 0.001) and had mothers with lower educational level (p < 0.001) and family income (p < 0.001). We found higher risk of CZS due the allele rs2297518[A] of NOS2 (OR = 2.28, CI 95% 1.17–4.50, p = 0.015). T allele and TT/CT genotypes of the TNF rs1799724 and haplotypes associated with higher expression of TNF were more prevalent in children with CZS and severe microcephaly (p = 0.029, p = 0.041 and p = 0.030, respectively). Our findings showed higher risk of CZS due ZIKV infection in the first trimester and suggested that polymorphisms in NOS2 and TNF genes affect the risk of CZS and severe microcephaly.

Download Full-text

Zika Virus Infection Leads to Demyelination and Axonal Injury in Mature CNS Cultures

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13010091 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 91

Author(s):

Verena Schultz ◽

Stephanie L. Cumberworth ◽

Quan Gu ◽

Natasha Johnson ◽

Claire L. Donald ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nervous System ◽

Neural Development ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Developmental Stages ◽

Cell Types ◽

Neural Cells ◽

Zikv Infection ◽

Axonal Pathology ◽

Time Frames

Understanding how Zika virus (Flaviviridae; ZIKV) affects neural cells is paramount in comprehending pathologies associated with infection. Whilst the effects of ZIKV in neural development are well documented, impact on the adult nervous system remains obscure. Here, we investigated the effects of ZIKV infection in established mature myelinated central nervous system (CNS) cultures. Infection incurred damage to myelinated fibers, with ZIKV-positive cells appearing when myelin damage was first detected as well as axonal pathology, suggesting the latter was a consequence of oligodendroglia infection. Transcriptome analysis revealed host factors that were upregulated during ZIKV infection. One such factor, CCL5, was validated in vitro as inhibiting myelination. Transferred UV-inactivated media from infected cultures did not damage myelin and axons, suggesting that viral replication is necessary to induce the observed effects. These data show that ZIKV infection affects CNS cells even after myelination—which is critical for saltatory conduction and neuronal function—has taken place. Understanding the targets of this virus across developmental stages including the mature CNS, and the subsequent effects of infection of cell types, is necessary to understand effective time frames for therapeutic intervention.

Download Full-text

Analysis of Zika virus capsid-Aedes aegypti mosquito interactome reveals pro-viral host factors critical for establishing infection

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-021-22966-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Rommel J. Gestuveo ◽

Jamie Royle ◽

Claire L. Donald ◽

Douglas J. Lamont ◽

Edward C. Hutchinson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Aedes Aegypti ◽

Protein Interactions ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Label Free ◽

Protein Protein Interactions ◽

Zikv Infection ◽

Ubiquitin Protein Ligase ◽

Mosquito Cells ◽

Endoplasmic Reticulum Protein ◽

Arboviral Diseases

AbstractThe escalating global prevalence of arboviral diseases emphasizes the need to improve our understanding of their biology. Research in this area has been hindered by the lack of molecular tools for studying virus-mosquito interactions. Here, we develop an Aedes aegypti cell line which stably expresses Zika virus (ZIKV) capsid proteins in order to study virus-vector protein-protein interactions through quantitative label-free proteomics. We identify 157 interactors and show that eight have potentially pro-viral activity during ZIKV infection in mosquito cells. Notably, silencing of transitional endoplasmic reticulum protein TER94 prevents ZIKV capsid degradation and significantly reduces viral replication. Similar results are observed if the TER94 ortholog (VCP) functioning is blocked with inhibitors in human cells. In addition, we show that an E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase, UBR5, mediates the interaction between TER94 and ZIKV capsid. Our study demonstrates a pro-viral function for TER94/VCP during ZIKV infection that is conserved between human and mosquito cells.

Download Full-text

Neurodevelopment in Children Exposed to Zika Virus: What Are the Consequences for Children Who Do Not Present with Microcephaly at Birth?

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13081427 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (8) ◽

pp. 1427

Author(s):

Paula Sobral da Silva ◽

Sophie Eickmann ◽

Ricardo Ximenes ◽

Celina Martelli ◽

Elizabeth Brickley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neurological Examination ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Control Group ◽

P Value ◽

Zikv Infection ◽

Clinical Neurological Examination ◽

Cognitive Delay ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Neurodevelopmental Impairment ◽

The Impact

The relation of Zika virus (ZIKV) with microcephaly is well established. However, knowledge is lacking on later developmental outcomes in children with evidence of maternal ZIKV infection during pregnancy born without microcephaly. The objective of this analysis is to investigate the impact of prenatal exposure to ZIKV on neuropsychomotor development in children without microcephaly. We evaluated 274 children including 235 ZIKV exposed and 39 controls using the Bayley-III Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSIDIII) and neurological examination. We observed a difference in cognition with a borderline p-value (p = 0.052): 9.4% of exposed children and none of the unexposed control group had mild to moderate delays. The prevalence of delays in the language and motor domains did not differ significantly between ZIKV-exposed and unexposed children (language: 12.3% versus 12.8%; motor: 4.7% versus 2.6%). Notably, neurological examination results were predictive of neurodevelopmental delays in the BSIDIII assessments for exposed children: 46.7% of children with abnormalities on clinical neurological examination presented with delay in contrast to 17.8% among exposed children without apparent neurological abnormalities (p = 0.001). Overall, our findings suggest that relative to their unexposed peers, ZIKV-exposed children without microcephaly are not at considerably increased risk of neurodevelopmental impairment in the first 42 months of life, although a small group of children demonstrated higher frequencies of cognitive delay. It is important to highlight that in the group of exposed children, an abnormal neuroclinical examination may be a predictor of developmental delay. The article contributes to practical guidance and advances our knowledge about congenital Zika.

Download Full-text

Update on the Transmission of Zika Virus Through Breast Milk and Breastfeeding: A Systematic Review of the Evidence

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13010123 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 123

Author(s):

Elizabeth Centeno-Tablante ◽

Melisa Medina-Rivera ◽

Julia L. Finkelstein ◽

Heather S. Herman ◽

Pura Rayco-Solon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Milk ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Mother To Child Transmission ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Child Transmission ◽

Zikv Infection ◽

Milk Samples ◽

Clinical Complications ◽

Mother To Child

We systematically searched regional and international databases and screened 1658 non-duplicate records describing women with suspected or confirmed ZIKV infection, intending to breastfeed or give breast milk to an infant to examine the potential of mother-to-child transmission of Zika virus (ZIKV) through breast milk or breastfeeding-related practices. Fourteen studies met our inclusion criteria and inform this analysis. These studies reported on 97 mother–children pairs who provided breast milk for ZIKV assessment. Seventeen breast milk samples from different women were found positive for ZIKV via RT-PCR, and ZIKV replication was found in cell cultures from five out of seven breast milk samples from different women. Only three out of six infants who had ZIKV infection were breastfed, no evidence of clinical complications was found to be associated with ZIKV RNA in breast milk. This review updates our previous report by including 12 new articles, in which we found no evidence of ZIKV mother-to-child transmission through breast milk intake or breastfeeding. As the certainty of the present evidence is low, additional studies are still warranted to determine if ZIKV can be transmitted through breastfeeding.

Download Full-text