Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Noah H. Rose, Stephanie Dabo, Silvania da Veiga Leal, Massamba Sylla, Cheikh T. Diagne, Oumar Faye, Ousmane Faye, Amadou A. Sall, Carolyn S. McBride, Louis Lambrechts
Summary: Although Africa has not experienced large-scale Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemics, unlike other regions, the Cape Verde outbreak in 2015-2016 suggests that populations of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes with high susceptibility to ZIKV and a preference for human hosts could serve as effective vectors for the virus in the future, particularly in the nearby Sahel region of West Africa.
Article
Parasitology
Daniel Chieh-Ding Lin, Shih-Che Weng, Po-Nien Tsao, Justin Jang Hann Chu, Shin-Hong Shiao
Summary: Co-infection of dengue virus and Zika virus in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes enhance viral replication and suggest that the NS5 protein is a potential target for vector control.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Flavia Geovana Fontineles Rios, Valdinete Alves do Nascimento, Felipe Gomes Naveca, Deusilene Souza Vieira, Genimar Reboucas Juliao
Summary: This study conducted screening for dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses in synanthropic mosquitoes in the Brazilian Amazon. It identified Aedes aegypti females infected with Zika virus and a male mosquito infected with dengue-4, suggesting natural vertical/venereal transmission. The study also observed vertical/venereal transmission of ZIKV in Culex quinquefasciatus males for the first time in the Brazilian Amazon and demonstrated the feasibility of using FTA cards to detect arboviruses in the saliva of field-collected mosquitoes.
MICROBES AND INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Maria Vittoria Mancini, Rapeepat Tandavanitj, Thomas H. H. Ant, Shivan M. M. Murdochy, Daniel D. D. Gingell, Chayanee Setthapramote, Piyatida Natsrita, Alain Kohl, Steven P. P. Sinkins, Arvind H. H. Patel, Giuditta De Lorenzo
Summary: In this study, a promising Zika virus vaccine candidate was validated in a mosquito-mouse transmission model, showing its ability to protect animals from the disease and reduce virus transmission. The study also revealed the enhancement of viral infection and spread through mosquito bites.
Article
Microbiology
Seydou Ka, Natacha Merindol, Aissatou Aicha Sow, Amita Singh, Karima Landelouci, Melodie B. Plourde, Genevieve Pepin, Marco Masi, Roberta Di Lecce, Antonio Evidente, Matar Seck, Lionel Berthoux, Laurent Chatel-Chaix, Isabel Desgagne-Penix
Summary: The study found that Amaryllidaceae alkaloids (AAs) from plants of the Amaryllidaceae family have strong antiviral activity, with cherylline specifically inhibiting dengue virus and Zika virus replication. This suggests that AAs, including cherylline, could be a potential source of new antiviral drugs.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Samira Vaziri, Siavash Hamzeh Pour, Fateme Akrami-Mohajeri
Summary: Zika virus, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, is an emerging arbovirus with clinical symptoms resembling dengue fever. It can sometimes lead to severe complications such as Guillain-Barre syndrome and microcephaly.
OSONG PUBLIC HEALTH AND RESEARCH PERSPECTIVES
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nnomzie C. Atama, Irina Chestakova, Erwin de Bruin, Tijs J. van den Berg, Emmanuelle Munger, Chantal Reusken, Bas B. Oude Munnink, Henk van der Jeugd, Judith M. A. van den Brand, Marion P. G. Koopmans, Reina S. Sikkema
Summary: Wild birds, especially feathers, are suitable sample types for monitoring arboviruses in bird surveillance. Involvement of citizens in collecting samples from wild birds is feasible. However, optimization is needed for DBS-based antibody detections.
Article
Microbiology
Brent Edwards, Elodie Ghedin, Denis Voronin
Summary: Wolbachia suppresses Zika virus replication by altering cholesterol biosynthesis and depleting lipid droplets in host cells, resulting in decreased viral titers. This study provides insights into the mechanism behind Wolbachia-induced interference of arbovirus replication and could contribute to the development of strategies to control arbovirus pathogens.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Roenick P. Olmo, Yaovi M. H. Todjro, Eric R. G. R. Aguiar, Joao Paulo P. de Almeida, Flavia V. Ferreira, Juliana N. Armache, Isaque J. S. de Faria, Alvaro G. A. Ferreira, Siad C. G. Amadou, Ana Teresa S. Silva, Katia P. R. de Souza, Ana Paula P. Vilela, Antinea Babarit, Cheong H. Tan, Mawlouth Diallo, Alioune Gaye, Christophe Paupy, Judicael Obame-Nkoghe, Tessa M. M. Visser, Constantianus J. M. Koenraadt, Merril A. Wongsokarijo, Ana Luiza C. Cruz, Mariliza T. Prieto, Maisa C. P. Parra, Mauricio L. Nogueira, Vivian Avelino-Silva, Renato N. N. Mota, Magno A. Z. Borges, Betania P. Drumond, Erna G. G. Kroon, Mario Recker, Luigi Sedda, Eric Marois, Jean-Luc Imler, Joao T. Marques
Summary: The study analyzed the mechanism by which insect-specific viruses affect mosquito vector competence to transmit dengue virus to humans. Two mosquito-specific viruses, Phasi Charoen-like virus (PCLV) and Humaita Tubiacanga virus (HTV), were found to be the most abundant in Aedes aegypti worldwide. The presence of HTV and PCLV increased the ability of mosquitoes to transmit dengue virus and Zika virus to a vertebrate host.
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ivo C. C. Martins, Rafaela C. C. Ricardo, Nuno C. C. Santos
Summary: Dengue, West Nile, and Zika viruses are vector-borne flaviviruses that cause disease outbreaks with potentially severe symptoms and socioeconomic repercussions. Currently, there are no specific treatments available, and only generic symptom relief is possible. The effectiveness of the first dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, is limited. Prophylactic approaches against other viruses are even more restricted. Therefore, there is a need for therapeutic strategies.
Article
Biology
Yaning Gao, Wanbo Tai, Xinyi Wang, Shibo Jiang, Asim K. Debnath, Lanying Du, Shizhong Chen
Summary: The gossypol derivative ST087010 exhibits potent and broad-spectrum inhibitory activity against various strains of ZIKV and serotypes of DENV, with reduced cytotoxicity compared to gossypol. It provides broad-spectrum protection in vivo, decreasing viral titers in different tissues and preventing vertical transmission of ZIKV in pregnant mice. Moreover, it reduces viral titers in various organs and protects against viral replication in DENV-challenged mice. Overall, this gossypol derivative shows potential as an effective and safe broad-spectrum therapeutic agent for ZIKV and DENV diseases.
Article
Parasitology
Lie Cheng, Wei-Liang Liu, Matthew P. Su, Shu-Chen Huang, Jen-Ren Wang, Chun-Hong Chen
Summary: In this study, we found that prohemocytes were the major type of hemocyte infected by DENV in both Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. The infection rate of prohemocytes in Ae. albopictus was lower than that in Ae. aegypti, which may explain why systemic DENV infection in Ae. albopictus is less efficient than in Ae. aegypti and why Ae. albopictus is less correlated to dengue fever outbreaks.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Shih-Che Weng, Po-Nien Tsao, Shin-Hong Shiao
Summary: This study found that blood glucose enhances DENV replication in mosquitoes, leading to increased virus transmission. The activation of AKT and TOR signaling pathways plays a crucial role in facilitating this process. This insight may contribute to understanding the relationship between dengue fever and diabetes mellitus and could potentially offer new targets for antiviral therapies.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Virology
Mafalda A. Farelo, Despoina Korrou-Karava, Katrina F. Brooks, Tiffany A. Russell, Kevin Maringer, Peter U. Mayerhofer
Summary: Flaviviruses such as dengue virus and Zika virus use the host protein PEX19 to downregulate peroxisomes, which results in reduced interferon production. However, unlike cellular peroxisomal membrane proteins, the viral proteins do not localize to peroxisomes. Furthermore, the presence of viral proteins leads to impaired peroxisomal biogenesis through a PEX19-independent mechanism. This challenges the current understanding of how flaviviruses manipulate peroxisomal abundance and suggests an unknown role of peroxisomes in viral biology.
Article
Cell Biology
Sundy N. Y. Yang, Belinda Maher, Chunxiao Wang, Kylie M. Wagstaff, Johanna E. Fraser, David A. Jans
Summary: This study identifies two drugs that can inhibit the replication of dengue virus and other flaviviruses by directly binding to a viral protein.