scholarly journals The Neurobiology of Zika Virus: New Models, New Challenges

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciana Monteiro Moura ◽  
Vinicius Leati de Rossi Ferreira ◽  
Rafael Maffei Loureiro ◽  
Joselisa Péres Queiroz de Paiva ◽  
Rafaela Rosa-Ribeiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zika Virus ◽  
Placental Barrier ◽  
Physiological Variables ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
New Models ◽  
Congenital Zika Syndrome ◽  
Complex Events ◽  
New Challenges ◽  
A Chain ◽  
Normal Head

The Zika virus (ZIKV) attracted attention due to one striking characteristic: the ability to cross the placental barrier and infect the fetus, possibly causing severe neurodevelopmental disruptions included in the Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS). Few years after the epidemic, the CZS incidence has begun to decline. However, how ZIKV causes a diversity of outcomes is far from being understood. This is probably driven by a chain of complex events that relies on the interaction between ZIKV and environmental and physiological variables. In this review, we address open questions that might lead to an ill-defined diagnosis of CZS. This inaccuracy underestimates a large spectrum of apparent normocephalic cases that remain underdiagnosed, comprising several subtle brain abnormalities frequently masked by a normal head circumference. Therefore, new models using neuroimaging and artificial intelligence are needed to improve our understanding of the neurobiology of ZIKV and its true impact in neurodevelopment.

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

Viruses ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Dual burden of Zika and COVID-19 in India: challenges, opportunities and recommendations

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mainak Bardhan ◽  
Debolina Pramanik ◽  
Rizana Riyaz ◽  
Mohammad Mehedi Hasan ◽  
Mohammad Yasir Essar
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Healthcare Resources ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
The World ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Congenital Zika Syndrome ◽  
Dual Burden

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc in the world from last year, and any further insults like Zika virus will surely bring the apocalypse unto us. In July 2021, Zika began spreading in India, mainly in the state of Kerala. Zika infection resembles closely COVID-19 and other arboviral infections, which might lead to delayed and misdiagnosis, further leading to underreporting of cases. Some of the feared complications of Zika include Guillain–Barré syndrome and congenital Zika syndrome leading to microcephaly. Thus, Zika virus disease (ZVD) has significant public health and social impacts. Since the trifecta of infectious diseases (host, agent and environment) are all conducive to the spread of Zika in India, there is a huge risk that ZVD might become endemic in India, which is especially dangerous in the backdrop of this pandemic. This has to be stopped at all costs: the main aspects of which are public health measures, vector control and early diagnosis, especially in case of pregnant women. The diversion of healthcare resources for this pandemic has albeit made this difficult, but we must do our bit if we have to overcome this situation.

scholarly journals Zika viruses of both African and Asian lineages cause fetal harm in a vertical transmission model

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna S. Jaeger ◽  
Reyes A. Murreita ◽  
Lea R. Goren ◽  
Chelsea M. Crooks ◽  
Ryan V. Moriarty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Vertical Transmission ◽  
Birth Defects ◽  
Asian American ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
French Polynesia ◽  
Transmission Model ◽  
Foreseeable Future ◽  
Zikv Infection ◽  
Congenital Zika Syndrome

AbstractCongenital Zika virus (ZIKV) infection was first linked to birth defects during the American outbreak 1–3. It has been proposed that mutations unique to the Asian/American-genotype explain, at least in part, the ability of Asian/American ZIKV to cause congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) 4,5. Recent studies identified mutations in ZIKV infecting humans that arose coincident with the outbreak in French Polynesia and were stably maintained during subsequent spread to the Americas 5. Here we show that African ZIKV can infect and harm fetuses and that the S139N mutation that has been associated with the American outbreak is not essential for fetal harm. Our findings, in a vertical transmission mouse model, suggest that ZIKV will remain a threat to pregnant women for the foreseeable future, including in Africa, southeast Asia, and the Americas. Additional research is needed to better understand the risks associated with ZIKV infection during pregnancy, both in areas where the virus is newly endemic and where it has been circulating for decades.

scholarly journals Asymptomatic Prenatal Zika Virus Infection and Congenital Zika Syndrome

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Congenital Zika syndrome: Pitfalls in the placental barrier

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. e1985 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nia Robinson ◽  
Evangelina E. Mayorquin Galvan ◽  
Isidro G. Zavala Trujillo ◽  
Maria G. Zavala-Cerna
Keyword(s):  
Placental Barrier ◽  
Congenital Zika Syndrome

Nothobranchius fish: an untapped resource for studying aging-related neurodegeneration

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyrone Genade
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Research Focus ◽  
Short Lifespan ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Age Related ◽  
New Models ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Existing Data ◽  
Untapped Resource ◽  
Age Related Changes

: New models in which aging-related neurodegeneration more closely resembling the combination of pathologies that develop in aging humans are needed. The fish Nothobranchius, which naturally develops such pathologies over the course of its short lifespan, is one such model. This review compares the lifespans and pathologies of different Nothobranchius strains to those of current vertebrate models of aging. Furthermore, existing data pertaining to neurodegeneration in these fish is discussed in the context of their reported neuropathologies, along with open questions related to mammalian chronopathologies. Specifically, the evidence for a Parkinson’s disease-like pathology is discussed. Neurogenesis and age-related changes therein are discussed in the context of siRNA and neurodegeneration. We also discuss changes in the expression of neuropeptide Y in relation to the brain-gut axis and how these change with age. Agerelated behavioral changes are discussed, along with the assays used in their evaluation. Genetic discoveries are outlined and discussed with a view on DJ-1/NRF2 signaling in N. furzeri, and on insights gained from comparative genomics and siRNA studies. Finally, research focus areas are highlighted, and a case is made for the utility of these fish in the study of aging-related neurodegeneration, and to screen for environmental risk factors of aging-related neuropathology.

scholarly journals Zika Virus Pathogenesis: From Early Case Reports to Epidemics

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 886 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan D. Pardy ◽  
Martin J. Richer
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Viral Persistence ◽  
The Body ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Zikv Infection ◽  
Congenital Zika Syndrome ◽  
Early Case ◽  
The Impact

For the first 60 years following its isolation, Zika virus (ZIKV) remained a relatively poorly described member of the Flaviviridae family. However, since 2007, it has caused a series of increasingly severe outbreaks and is now associated with neurological symptoms such as Guillain-Barré syndrome and congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). A number of reports have improved our understanding of rare complications that may be associated with ZIKV infection in adults, the areas of the body to which it spreads, and viral persistence in various tissues. Likewise, studies on the effect of ZIKV infection during pregnancy have identified risk factors for CZS and the impact this syndrome has on early childhood. Understanding these outcomes and the factors that drive ZIKV pathogenesis are key to developing vaccination and therapeutic approaches to avoid these severe and potentially debilitating symptoms.

scholarly journals Association of arthrogryposis in neonates with microcephaly due to Zika virus - a case serie

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. S83-S88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Catarina Matos Ishigami Alvino ◽  
Luísa Rocha Medeiros de Mello ◽  
Jucille do Amaral Meneses Meira de Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Zika Virus ◽  
Joint Stiffness ◽  
The Body ◽  
Maternal Infection ◽  
Infection Period ◽  
Vaginal Deliveries ◽  
Congenital Zika Syndrome ◽  
Motor Nerves ◽  
Congenital Microcephaly ◽  
Peripheral Motor

Abstract Introduction: in 2015 an increasing number of congenital microcephaly cases were associated to maternal infection due to Zika virus. Some of these patients presented other alterations and arthrogryposis was the most frequently found. Arthrogryposis is defined as congenital joint contractures involving at least two different areas of the body. Description: arthrogryposis was found in 18 patients with congenital microcephaly due to Zika virus. 67% of the cases were vaginal deliveries. 50% of resuscitation performed in the delivery room was necessary. The mean birth weight was 2.371g, gestational age was 39 weeks and the head circumference was 28.3cm, 15 (83%) of these patients presented severe microcephaly. All the neonates resulted in concomitant hip joints and some also had knees, ankles and wrists affected. Nine neonates (50%) presented an early respiratory distress and four (22%) died due to respiratory failure. Discussion: the neurological result found in patients with Congenital Zika Syndrome seems to be associated to the maternal infection period. During the early stages of embryogenesis, in addition to microcephaly, could be related to the peripheral motor nerves leading to fetal akinesia, joint stiffness and arthrogryposis. These neonates tend to present greater morbimortality with the worst prognosis.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document