New Advances On Zika Virus Research

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne member of the Flaviviridae family that historically has been associated with mild febrile illness. However, the recent outbreaks in Brazil in 2015 and its rapid spread throughout South and Central America and the Caribbean, together with its association with severe neurological disorders—including fetal microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults—have changed the historic perspective of ZIKV. Currently, ZIKV is considered an important public health concern that has the potential to affect millions of people worldwide. The significance of ZIKV in human health and the lack of approved vaccines and/or antiviral drugs to combat ZIKV infection have triggered a global effort to develop effective countermeasures to prevent and/or treat ZIKV infection. In this Special Issue of Viruses, we have assembled a collection of 32 research and review articles that cover the more recent advances on ZIKV molecular biology, replication and transmission, virus–host interactions, pathogenesis, epidemiology, vaccine development, antivirals, and viral diagnosis.

Zika is an arboviral disease that has caused a significant impact, especially in the Americas after the epidemics in 2015 and 2016. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared it as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in 2016, linking it with the Guillain-Barré syndrome and especially the microcephaly and the Congenital Zika Syndrome. The multiple consequences, especially in the central and peripheral nervous system in the short and long term, are still to be better defined. Therefore research on Zika is crucial. This book presents an update of the significant epidemiological and clinical research of Zika over the last years in many aspects and from a multinational perspective.

This contributed volume contains 25 chapters from leading international scientists working on dengue and Zika viruses, who came together in Praia do Tofo in Mozambique to discuss the latest developments in the fields of epidemiology, pathogenesis, structural virology, immunology, antiviral drug discovery and development, vaccine efficacy, and mosquito control programs. The meeting venue offered an opportunity to discuss current research on these flaviviruses in an idyllic setting, and also to develop first-hand appreciation of the issues in infectious diseases facing developing countries and of the research gaps in Africa. For readers, who should include basic and clinical researchers in the field and public health professionals, the chapters are organized to provide a comprehensive overview of the various topics in current dengue and Zika virus research. A unique feature of the proceedings of this meeting is the inclusion of the discussions that took place following presentations. These have been transcribed and appended to the end of the relevant chapters, and they form the “salt in the soup” of this book.

The considerable number of viral infectious disease threats that have emerged since the beginning of the 21st century have shown the need to dispose global and coordinated responses to fight properly and efficiently against them. Severe acute respiratory syndrome (2003), avian influenza in humans (2005), A(H1N1) pandemic influenza (2009), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) (2012 onward) and Ebola virus disease (2014-2015) are some of the most important examples. The latest emerging and devastating threat was Zika virus, an arbovirus that provoked more than 500,000 suspicious cases in the Americas in 2016 and notable processes of social and medical alarms due to the evidence of a causal link between Zika virus and several congenital injuries, like microcephaly, as well as due to its association with neurological disorders such as Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults (PAHO, 2017). In the framework of this global response and multistrategic approach, the purpose of this Research Topic is to provide updated information and novel researches about control strategies, encompassing virological, entomological and epidemiological data, in order to reach the triad of protagonists of transmission cycles (virus, mosquitoes and humans).

Zika virus (ZIKV), one of the flavivirus family members transmitted by mosquitos, was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the WHO in February 2016 because of clusters of newborn microcephaly cases and other neurological disorders in Brazil. Most ZIKV infections result in a self-limited flu-like febrile disease, however, if contracted during pregnancy, the virus can also infect fetuses and cause a spectrum of birth defects known as congenital Zika syndrome. To date, no vaccines or antiviral drugs are licensed for ZIKV, and the virus has spread and become endemic to many tropical and sub-tropical countries. Included in this book are thirteen reports addressing diverse aspects of ZIKV-host interactions. These studies range from basic science to clinical research. It is expected that findings from these studies will contribute to a better understanding of the host cells interacting with ZIKV, and may serve as the basis for new diagnostics, antiviral therapies, and vaccine design.

Zika Virus Impact, Diagnosis, Control, and Models: Volume Two: The Neuroscience of Zika examines diagnosis, vaccines, and potential therapy methods for Zika virus syndrome. The book also details the neuroscience of Guillain-Barré syndrome, its effects and neuromuscular rehabilitation. It is designed to help readers better understand detection, therapies for Zika virus, preventative vaccines, diagnosis and associated microcephaly. Chapters on models enable further research and understanding. This book has applicability for neuroscientists, neurologists, virologists and anyone working to better understand the evolution and pathogenesis of Zika virus-related conditions. Provides a broad range of topics related to the neuroscience of Zika, including its diagnosis, vaccines and therapy Contains chapter abstracts, key facts, a dictionary of terms and summary points to aid in understanding Discusses novel and non-pharmacological therapies, Guillain-Barré Syndrome and vaccine development Features chapters on rat, mouse, and guinea pig models of Zika and case reports of Zika co-infection with chikungunya, dengue-2 and Guillain-Barré Includes coverage of microcephaly and developmental delays and examines Zika outbreaks in Brazil, Honduras, Uganda, Jamaica and Mozambique

This book discusses current evidence on human viruses and provides an extensive coverage of newly emerged viruses and current strategies for treatment. Offering a new perspective in view of the re-emergence of Ebola in African countries and Dengue in India and Pakistan, the contents include chapters on emergence, pathogenicity, epidemiology and vaccine uptake. Human Viruses: Diseases, Treatments and Vaccines: The New Insights discusses a range of viruses from the most common such as Influenza and Hepatitis to Zika, Poliomyelitis and Chikungunya among many others. It is authored by a team of experts on viral disease and will be of immense use to virologists, public health experts and clinicians.

Zika Virus provides an authoritative account of one of most fascinating viruses of the 21st century, covering all the main points. It includes coverage of clinical manifestations, such as fever and fatigue, but also delves into neurological manifestations like acute demyelinating neuropathy. In addition, the book discusses new evidence that suggests that Zika fever in pregnant women can cause abnormal brain development in fetuses by mother-to-child transmission. The Zika virus infection has become one of the first where women are actively discouraged from getting pregnant. Readers will find this book to be a comprehensive resource on the topic. Covers every important aspect of the Zika virus disease, from biological, to social and economic impacts Focuses on women’s health issues that have surfaced, including birth defects in newborns Written in an easy to comprehend manner, with technical terms clearly defined in chapters that highlight genetics