Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sascha R. Ellington, Regina M. Simeone, Ruby A. Serrano-Rodriguez, Jeanne Bertolli, Andrea Swartzendruber, Howard I. Goldberg, Amilcar Soto Mercado, Denise J. Jamieson, Margaret A. Honein, Jose F. Cordero, Carrie K. Shapiro-Mendoza
Summary: The study found that receiving counseling from healthcare providers was more effective in promoting Zika virus prevention behaviors among women aged 18-49 than pregnancy status. This included actions such as using mosquito repellent, sleeping under bed nets, professional spraying, and wearing long sleeves and pants.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Talia M. Quandelacy, Jessica M. Healy, Bradford Greening, Dania M. Rodriguez, Koo-Whang Chung, Matthew J. Kuehnert, Brad J. Biggerstaff, Emilio Dirlikov, Luis Mier-y-Teran-Romero, Tyler M. Sharp, Stephen Waterman, Michael A. Johansson
Summary: This study examines the estimation of Zika virus epidemic incidence using multiple indicators and models to account for reporting biases. By combining surveillance data and assumptions about reporting biases, it was estimated that approximately 890,000 individuals in Puerto Rico were infected with Zika in 2016, highlighting the importance of using multiple indicators for accurate estimation of epidemic incidence.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Heng Rong, Mi Qi, Jingdi Pan, Yuhan Sun, Jiawang Gao, Xiaowei Zhang, Wei Li, Bo Zhang, Xian-En Zhang, Zongqiang Cui
Summary: In this study, a self-assembling nanovaccine was developed to provide complete protection against Zika virus infection. The nanovaccine induced robust immune responses and conferred complete protection without triggering cross-reactivity with dengue virus-2, overcoming a safety concern in Zika virus vaccine development.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Thomas Langerak, Noreen Mumtaz, Marion Koopmans, Sam Schoenmakers, Barry Rockx
Summary: In this study, the researchers investigated whether pregnancy affects the susceptibility and antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in primary myeloid cells. They found that there was no increased permissiveness for ZIKV infection and ADE of ZIKV infection in primary cells from pregnant women compared to non-pregnant women.
Article
Immunology
Ming Yang, Haiyan Sun, Huafang Lai, Biswas Neupane, Fengwei Bai, Herta Steinkellner, Qiang Chen
Summary: Monoclonal antibodies have great potential as therapeutics against Zika virus, but may enhance infection by dengue virus. This study demonstrates the possibility of reducing the risk of dengue virus infection by modifying antibody glycosylation.
Review
Virology
Xiaoke Yang, Xin Zhang, Xiaotian Zhao, Mengqi Yuan, Kehui Zhang, Jingwen Dai, Xiangyu Guan, Hua-Ji Qiu, Yongfeng Li
Summary: Emerging viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, cause severe disruptions to public health, and vaccines and antibody drugs are crucial in combating these infectious diseases. However, antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) may worsen viral infection. In this review, we analyze the characteristics of viruses inducing ADE and the molecular mechanisms involved, aiming to gain insights for the development of safer vaccines and effective antibody drugs.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Simon Pollett, Caitlin H. Kuklis, David A. Barvir, Richard G. Jarman, Rachel M. Romaine, Brett M. Forshey, Gregory D. Gromowski
Summary: Understanding the burden and risk factors of dengue virus infection in Puerto Rico is crucial for preventing dengue in the local, traveler, and military populations. Through the study of serum samples, we found that individuals born or residing in dengue-endemic areas before military service in Puerto Rico had a higher likelihood of DENV exposure, while those from non-endemic regions had a lower likelihood.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nicole M. Roth, Camille Delgado-Lopez, Lisa D. Wiggins, Nancy Nieves Munoz, Sarah B. Mulkey, Leishla Nieves-Ferrer, Kate R. Woodworth, Glorimar Melendez Rosario, Mariam Marcano Huertas, Cynthia A. Moore, Van T. Tong, Suzanne M. Gilboa, Miguel Valencia-Prado
Summary: Soft tick relapsing fever (STRF) is a rare infection caused by Borrelia spirochetes and transmitted by soft-bodied ornithodoros ticks. It is commonly associated with exposure to rustic cabins, camping, and caves. Timely antibiotic treatment is crucial to prevent severe complications and death.
MMWR-MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nicole M. Roth, Camille Delgado-Lopez, Lisa D. Wiggins, Nancy Nieves Munoz, Sarah B. Mulkey, Leishla Nieves-Ferrer, Kate R. Woodworth, Glorimar Melendez Rosario, Mariam Marcano Huertas, Cynthia A. Moore, Van T. Tong, Suzanne M. Gilboa, Miguel Valencia-Prado
Summary: Infection with Zika virus during pregnancy can lead to birth defects and neurodevelopmental abnormalities. Previous studies have suggested a possible link between prenatal exposure to certain viruses and autism spectrum disorder. This study utilized data from the U.S. Zika Pregnancy and Infant Registry to estimate the prevalence of ASD among children with potential prenatal Zika virus exposure and explore the characteristics and outcomes associated with ASD diagnosis.
MMWR-MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ashley N. Bonheur, Sarah Thomas, Sara H. Soshnick, Emily McGibbon, Alan P. Dupuis, Rene Hull, Sally Slavinski, Paula E. Del Rosso, Don Weiss, Danielle T. Hunt, Megan E. McCabe, Amy B. Dean, Rebecca Folkerth, Anne M. Laib, Susan J. Wong
Summary: This study reports a case of rapidly progressive and fatal travel-associated DENV infection in the United States, in which prior exposure to ZIKV likely contributed to the development of ADE phenomenon. The association between prior ZIKV immunity and subsequent new dengue infection is a concerning phenomenon, providing an important contribution to the knowledge on immunity to flaviviruses.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Ghada Tafesh-Edwards, Ananda Kalukin, Ioannis Eleftherianos
Summary: This study investigates the metabolic changes caused by Zika virus infection using a fruit fly model. The researchers find that Zika virus infection alters glucose and glycogen metabolism and reduces food intake in fruit flies. Insulin and RNA interference (RNAi) immunity play important roles in Zika virus infection. Female fruit flies are more susceptible to infection compared to males, suggesting possible sex differences in infection rates and disease development.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Rui Li, Sascha R. Ellington, Romeo R. Galang, Scott D. Grosse, Zipatly Mendoza, Stacey Hurst, Yari Vale, Eva Lathrop, Lisa Romero
Summary: This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of the Zika Contraception Access Network (Z-CAN) and found that it was likely cost-saving in the context of a public health emergency response setting.
Letter
Immunology
Gilberto A. Santiago, Chaney C. Kalinich, Fabiola Cruz-Lopez, Glenda L. Gonzalez, Betzabel Flores, Aaron Hentoff, Keyla N. Charriez, Joseph R. Fauver, Laura E. Adams, Tyler M. Sharp, Allison Black, Trevor Bedford, Esther Ellis, Brett Ellis, Steve H. Waterman, Gabriela Paz-Bailey, Nathan D. Grubaugh, Jorge L. Munoz-Jordan
Summary: The study revealed that the 2016-2017 Zika virus epidemic in Puerto Rico was driven by multiple introductions, spreading across the island, complex evolutionary patterns, and approximately 10 months of cryptic transmission.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fanfan Zhao, Yongfen Xu, Na Liu, Dawei Lv, Yujie Chen, Zhi Liu, Xia Jin, Mingbing Xiao, Dimitri Lavillette, Jin Zhong, Ralf Bartenschlager, Gang Long
Summary: This study developed a rigorous method to study extracellular vesicles (EVs) from Zika virus (ZIKV)-infected cells. The EVs did not transmit infection, but displayed abundant E proteins which have an antigenic landscape similar to that of virions. These results suggest that modulation of E protein release via virions and EVs may present a new approach to regulating flavivirus-host interactions.
Article
Immunology
Amelia K. Pinto, Mariah Hassert, Xiaobing Han, Douglas Barker, Trevor Carnelley, Emilie Branche, Tara L. Steffen, E. Taylor Stone, Elizabeth Geerling, Karla M. Viramontes, Cory Nykiforuk, Derek Toth, Sujan Shresta, Shantha Kodihalli, James D. Brien
Summary: This study investigates how polyclonal antibodies interact with Zika and dengue viruses in a mouse model, using intravenous hyperimmunoglobulin (IVIG) preparations. The research shows the unique dynamics of polyclonal antibodies in providing both enhancement and protection against flavivirus infection, with implications for antibody therapeutics and vaccine development.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
