Vector-borne transmission and evolution of Zika virus

The authors of this study review the mosquito and vertebrate host species potentially involved in ZIKV vector-borne transmission worldwide; provide an evidence-supported analysis regarding the possibility of ZIKV spillback from an urban cycle to a zoonotic cycle outside Africa; and review hypotheses regarding recent emergence and evolution of ZIKV.

Genomic, epidemiological and digital surveillance of Chikungunya virus in the Brazilian Amazon

This study highlights the potential of combining traditional surveillance with portable genome sequencing technologies and digital epidemiology to inform public health surveillance in the Amazon region. Data reveal a large CHIKV-ECSA outbreak in Boa Vista, limited potential for future CHIKV outbreaks, and indicate a replacement of the Asian genotype by the ECSA genotype in the Amazon region.

Low Zika Virus Seroprevalence in Vientiane, Laos, 2003–2015

With a low herd immunity in the Vientiane population, ZIKV represents a risk for future large-scale outbreaks. Implementation of a nationwide ZIKV surveillance network and epidemiological studies throughout Laos is needed.

The association between Zika virus infection and microcephaly in Brazil 2015–2017: An observational analysis of over 4 million births

This study strengthens the evidence that congenital ZIKV infection, particularly in the first 2 trimesters of pregnancy, is associated with microcephaly and less frequently with other birth defects. The finding of no alternative causes for geographic differences in microcephaly rate lead the authors to hypothesize that the Northeast region of Brazil was disproportionately affected by this Zika outbreak, with 94% of an estimated 8.5 million total cases occurring in this region, suggesting a need for seroprevalence surveys to determine the underlying reason.

Survey launched to understand clinical and research impact of INTERGROWTH-21st tools after 170,000 downloads

Inovio Announces First Subject Dosed with its DNA-Encoded Monoclonal Antibody (dMAb™) In First-Ever Human Trial

The difficulties in obtaining reliable Zika virus diagnostics

Correspondence re: Familiar barriers still unresolved - a perspective on the Zika virus outbreak research response

Webinar: Pregnant Women & Vaccines Against Emerging Epidemic Threats: Ethics Guidance for Preparedness, Research, and Response, 5 March 2019

Potential of Aedes albopictus to cause the emergence of arboviruses in Morocco

Results obtained in this study suggest that the local transmission of four arboviruses - dengue (DENV), chikungunya (CHIKV), zika (ZIKV) and yellow fever (YFV) viruses - by Ae. albopictus newly introduced in Morocco is a likely scenario.

Zika Virus Seroprevalence in Urban and Rural Areas of Suriname, 2017

In Suriname, 770 participants were recruited from 1 urban area and 2 rural villages in the tropical rainforest in order to conduct a ZIKV serosurvey. Researchers found that 35.1% of the participants had neutralizing antibodies against ZIKV. In 1 remote village in the rainforest, 24.5% of the participants had neutralizing antibodies against ZIKV, suggesting that ZIKV was widely spread across the country.

Neurodevelopmental milestones and associated behaviours are similar among healthy children across diverse geographical locations

The latest findings from the international INTERGROWTH-21^st Project, that has monitored healthy, urban children from educated families across four continents from early pregnancy to 2 years of age, show that human neurodevelopment is not influenced by the colour of an individual’s skin.

Control of Acute Arboviral Infection by Natural Killer Cells

In this study, researchers review recent developments in the understanding of the immune response, with an emphasis on the early antiviral immune response mediated by natural killer cells and emphasize their Janus-faced effects in the control of arbovirus infection and pathogenesis.

Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells as Model to Evaluate Species Tropism of Mosquito-Borne Flaviviruses

The authors of this study demonstrate Flavivirus-dependent differences in the interaction with monocyte-derived dendritic cells. These may play a role in pathogenesis but appear to only partially reflect the expected species tropism.

Bat Influenza A(HL18NL11) Virus in Fruit Bats, Brazil

Screening of 533 bats for influenza A viruses showed subtype HL18NL11 in intestines of 2 great fruit-eating bats (Artibeus lituratus). High concentrations suggested fecal shedding.

Differential Shedding and Antibody Kinetics of Zika and Chikungunya Viruses, Brazil

Recurrent recent arbovirus infections suggested by serologic data and unspecific symptoms highlight the need for exhaustive virologic testing.

Optimization of a fragment linking hit toward Dengue and Zika virus NS5 methyltransferases inhibitors

A fragment-based drug design approach on flavivirus methyltransferase.

Combination of ELISA screening and seroneutralisation tests to expedite Zika virus seroprevalence studies

The authors of this study propose a strategy allowing implementing efficient and practicable large-scale seroepidemiological studies for Zika Virus (ZIKV).

Human stem cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells support Zika virus replication and provide a relevant model to assess the efficacy of potential antivirals

The authors of this study demonstrate that both human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) and the Huh7 hepatoma cell line support the complete ZIKV replication cycle.

Neurodevelopment in Infants Exposed to Zika Virus In Utero

Letter to the Editor

A yellow fever–Zika chimeric virus vaccine candidate protects against Zika infection and congenital malformations in mice

The authors of this study report the engineering of a chimeric virus vaccine candidate (YF-ZIKprM/E) by replacing the antigenic surface glycoproteins and the capsid anchor of YFV-17D with those of a prototypic Asian lineage ZIKV isolate.