Zika Virus update

1. Effective-

In both cell cultures and mouse models, a drug used to treat Hepatitis C effectively protected and rescued neural cells infected by the Zika virus -- and blocked transmission of the virus to mouse fetuses.

Cell culture-
refers to the removal of cells from an animal or plant and their subsequent growth in a favorable artificial environment.

Mouse models-
mice naturally develop conditions that mimic human disease conditions, so inbred laboratory mice have been used as model organisms to study the virus.

2. Useage-

Researcherssay their findings support further investigation of using the repurposed drug as a potential treatment for Zika-infected adults, including pregnant women.

3. Explanation-

Research took place in the Muotri Lab, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093.

Goal: a cure for the zika virus.

    
     "The team investigated an antiviral drug called sofosbuvir, approved and marketed under the brand name Sovaldi to treat and cure hepatitis C infections.  The drug works by inhibiting replication of the hepatitis C virus. Researchers noted that both hepatitis C and Zika belong to the same viral family and bore strong structural similarities that could make sofosbuvir effective against the latter. In addition, it had been reported that sofosbuvir was protective against Zika in different cell types (https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/180125135529.htm)."

Zika vs. Sofosbuvir-

a.  rescued dying NPCs infected with the Zika

b.  restored gene expression linked to their antiviral response

c.  arrested Zika replication in vivo

d.  stopped flow from mother to fetus

e.  the drug was well-tolerated by the Zika-infected pregnant mice

     "In subsequent tests using an immunodeficient mouse model infected by Zika, intravenous injections of sofosbuvir significantly reduced viral loads in blood serum compared to a placebo group. Moreover, fetuses of Zika-infected pregnant mice did not show detectable Zika virus amplification in the sofosbuvir-treated group."
 http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/pressrelease/repurposed_drug_found_to_be_effective_against_zika_virus

More research needs to be done, but we are approaching the effective cure of the Zika virus.

The Mosquito-borne Zika Virus

     Have you heard of the Aedes mosquito?

     It carries the Zika virus.

     In the passed few weeks the Zika virus has been in quite a few headlines. The virus is intruding on our well being.  How is it intruding, though?

     Let's take a look at the situation.

     The Zika virus causes illness.  Most often, the illness isn't outstanding.  The symptoms that accompany the virus only proliferate for approximately a week.  The most susceptible individuals are unborn fetuses.  

     Symptoms:

fever

rash

joint pain

red eyes

     Currently, a vaccine doesn't exist for the Zika virus.

     “Treatment instead focuses on relieving symptoms and includes rest, rehydration, and medications for fever and pain (https://www.google.com/search?site=&source=hp&ei=yESzVqOwFsKs-AG9qJmYDA&q=virus+zika&oq=virus&gs_l=mobile-gws-hp.1.0.0i131l2j0i3j0j0i3.26343.34714.0.36451.10.7.3.1.1.0.328.1393.0j4j2j1.7.0....0...1c.1j4.64.mobile-gws-hp..0.8.916.0.TD24ROd1SLA).”

     The W.H.O. (world health organization) reported that on 1/7/2016, the mosquito-borne, Zika represents an international public health emergency.

    
     “There is an urgent need to do a lot more work,” said Margaret Chan, MD, director-general of the WHO. “We need a coordinated international response to make sure we get to the bottom of this.” -(http://www.who.int/en/)

     

     If the W.H. Organization report doesn't grab your attention, then perhaps some of the other current headlines will.

     Additional Zika virus news:
   
“As Zika Virus Spreads, Doctors Try to Calm Fears”

“Emergency Declared Over Birth Defects Tied to Zika”

“Tiny but Dangerous: The Mosquitoes Spreading Zika”

-(http://www.who.int/en/)

     Research has linked the virus to an already well established disease in children, microencephaly.
Microencaphly causes fetal brain damage resulting in a stillbirth.

    “Officials in Dallas County, TX, reported Feb. 2, 2016, that one person caught Zika through sexual activity. (http://www.m.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20160107/zika-virus-what-you-should-know)

     Quick Zika virus facts:

     1.  3 million to 4 million people could possibly be infected with the virus this year in the Americas.

     2.  Zika virus, first identified in Uganda in 1947, is transmitted by a mosquito that may also carry dengue fever, yellow fever, and the chikungunya virus.  It is also passed via std, and blood transfusion.

     3.  It causes fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis.

     4.  Treat it with over-the-counter medications for aches and pains. The disease usually runs its course within a week.

     5.  The CDC stated, Jan. 15, that it tested samples provided by Brazilian health authorities from two pregnancies that ended in miscarriage and two infants with microcephaly who died shortly after birth. In the two full-term infants, the Zika virus was present in the brain. In all four cases, genetic testing showed the virus was the same as the Zika strain circulating in Brazil. All four mothers reported having a fever and a rash consistent with Zika virus during their pregnancies, the CDC says.

     6.  CDC Travel Warning- Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico.

     7.  If you're pregnant, and you've traveled to those areas, then, consult with your doctor.

     8.  Aedes mosquitoes, Zika carriers, are from North, Central, and South America.

     9.  Travel plans- bring mosquito repellant. These mosquitos bite during the day.  They are day time feeders.

     Stay away from mosquito infested areas.  Researches haven't established a complete pathway of the Zika virus.

     In current news,

     “The health department of Campinas, an industrial city near Sao Paulo, said a man with gunshot wounds became infected with Zika after multiple blood transfusions in April 2015. Officials said they determined that one of the people whose donated blood was used in the transfusion had been infected with Zika.”

“Also causing concern is the possibility of transmission through sexual contact. Health officials in Texas reported on Tuesday that a person in Dallas became infected after having sex with another person who had traveled in Venezuela, where the virus is circulating.”

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/brazil-confirms-zika-infection-from-a-blood-transfusion/

     The Zika virus causes illness.  Most often, the illness isn't outstanding.  The symptoms that accompany the virus only proliferate for approximately a week.  The most susceptible individuals are unborn fetuses.  It can severely affect adults, too.