A Viral Polymerase Inhibitor Reduces Zika Virus Replication in the Reproductive Organs of Male Mice

In this study, the authors explore the potential of antivirals to serve as an effective strategy to prevent sexual transmission. The data illustrate the value of a mouse model to validate the efficacy of new potential ZIKV drugs at the level of the male reproductive system.

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.

Favipiravir inhibits in vitro Usutu virus replication and delays disease progression in an infection model in mice

This study shows that treatment of mice with favipiravir (150 mg/kg/dose, BID, oral gavage) significantly reduced viral load in blood and tissues and significantly delayed virus-induced disease. The USUV mouse model is amenable for assessing the potential in vivo efficacy of (novel) USUV/flavivirus inhibitors.

Research Models and Tools for the Identification of Antivirals and Therapeutics against Zika Virus Infection

This review focuses on the recent advances regarding research models, as well as available experimental tools that can be used for the identification and characterization of potential antiviral targets and therapeutic intervention strategies.

Zika virus infects human testicular tissue and germ cells

This study provides key insights into how ZIKV may persist in semen and alter semen parameters, as well as a valuable tool for testing antiviral agents.

Replication of the Zika virus in different iPSC-derived neuronal cells and implications to assess efficacy of antivirals

This study demonstrates for the first time that motor neurons support ZIKV replication and these cells are as a consequence of ZIKV replication destroyed by the virus, and that human iPSC derived neuronal cells offer a physiologically relevant system to assess the potential antiviral effect of small molecule inhibitors of viral replication that are being developed to clear ZIKV infections in the nervous system.