Work

The fetal lineage is susceptible to Zika virus infection within days of fertilization

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: Adults contracting Zika virus (ZIKV) typically exhibit mild symptoms, yet ZIKV infection of pregnant individuals can cause miscarriage or birth defects in their offspring. Many studies have focused on maternal-to-fetal ZIKV transmission via blood and placenta. Notably, however, ZIKV is also transmitted sexually, raising the possibility that ZIKV could infect the embryo shortly after fertilization, long before the placenta is established. Here, we evaluate the consequences of ZIKV infection in mouse embryos during the first few days of embryogenesis. We show that divergent strains of ZIKV can infect the fetal lineage and can cause developmental arrest, raising concern for the developmental consequences of sexual ZIKV transmission. This article has an associated 'The people behind the papers' interview.

Source: Development

DOI: 10.1242/dev.200501

Authors: Jennifer L. Watts, Amy Ralston

Institution: Michigan State University

Language: English

Topic: Mosquito-borne diseases and control

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: Michigan State University, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development