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Updated: Mar 16, 2026
Zika Virus Infectious Cell Culture System and the In Vitro Prophylactic Effect of Interferons
Published on: August 23, 2016
Zika virus infection: epidemiology, clinical manifestations and diagnosis
Guilherme Amaral Calvet1, Flavia Barreto Dos Santos, Patricia Carvalho Sequeira
1aAcute Febrile Illnesses Laboratory, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases/Oswaldo Cruz Foundation bFlavivirus Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute/Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Purpose Of Review:
Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arbovirus previously believed to cause only a mild and self-limiting illness. Recently, it has emerged as a new public health threat that caused a large outbreak in French Polynesia in 2013-2014 and since 2015 an explosive outbreak in Brazil, with an increase in severe congenital malformations (microcephaly) and neurological complications, mainly Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Since then, it has spread through the Americas. On 1 February 2016, the WHO declared the ZIKV epidemic in Brazil a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. We reviewed the epidemiology of ZIKV infection, clinical presentations and diagnosis. We highlighted the clinical features and nonvector borne transmission of the virus.
Recent Findings:
Association between ZIKV infection and severe foetal outcomes, including microcephaly and other birth defects; increased rate of GBS and other neurological complications due to the ongoing ZIKV outbreak; increased evidence to date of ZIKV being the only arbovirus linked to sexual transmission; the challenge of ZIKV diagnosis; and the need for a specific point-of care test in epidemic scenarios.
Summary:
The findings illustrate the emergence of a viral disease with the identification of new associated disorders, new modes of transmission, including maternal-foetal and sexual transmission.
Insights
Zika virus (ZIKV) now poses a significant public health threat, causing severe birth defects like microcephaly and neurological issues such as Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). This review covers ZIKV
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Zika virus (ZIKV), an arbovirus, was previously considered to cause mild illness.
- Recent outbreaks in French Polynesia and Brazil have highlighted severe congenital malformations (microcephaly) and neurological complications (Guillain-Barré syndrome).
- ZIKV has spread throughout the Americas, prompting a Public Health Emergency of International Concern declaration by the WHO in 2016.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epidemiology, clinical presentations, and diagnosis of Zika virus infection.
- To highlight clinical features and non-vector-borne transmission routes of ZIKV.
- To discuss the challenges in ZIKV diagnosis and the need for point-of-care tests.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on ZIKV epidemiology.
- Analysis of clinical presentations and diagnostic challenges.
- Examination of non-vector-borne transmission modes.
Main Results:
- ZIKV is linked to severe fetal outcomes, including microcephaly and other birth defects.
- An increased incidence of Guillain-Barré syndrome and other neurological complications is associated with ZIKV outbreaks.
- Evidence supports ZIKV's sexual transmission, a unique characteristic among arboviruses.
Conclusions:
- Zika virus represents an emerging disease with novel associated disorders.
- New transmission modes, including maternal-fetal and sexual transmission, have been identified.
- The findings underscore the need for improved diagnostic tools and public health strategies for ZIKV control.
