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Updated: Dec 2, 2025
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High-throughput Antiviral Assays to Screen for Inhibitors of Zika Virus Replication
Published on: October 30, 2021
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Recent trends in ZikV research: A step away from cure
Aftab Alam1, Nikhat Imam2, Anam Farooqui1
1Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Science, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India.
Summary
Zika virus (ZikV) poses a global health threat, causing severe neurological conditions. Research is advancing antiviral drugs and vaccines, offering hope for effective treatments against this flavivirus.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Zika virus (ZikV), a Flaviviridae family member, presents a significant global health concern.
- Infections can lead to severe congenital anomalies (microcephaly) and neurological disorders in adults, including Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current global efforts, challenges, and prospects in developing vaccines and antiviral agents against Zika virus.
- To highlight promising therapeutic strategies, including drug repurposing and novel pharmacological agents.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on Zika virus epidemiology, pathophysiology, and therapeutic interventions.
- Screening of FDA-approved drugs for antiviral activity against ZikV.
- Analysis of various vaccine candidates (DNA, ZPIV, LAIV, mRNA, AGS-v) in clinical trials.
Main Results:
- Drug repurposing shows promise for expedited ZikV treatment development.
- Several pharmacological agents (Mycophenolic acid, Niclosamide, PHA-690509, Emricasan, Bortezomib) demonstrate potent anti-ZikV activity.
- Multiple vaccine platforms are under clinical investigation.
Conclusions:
- Continued research into vaccines and antiviral therapies is crucial for combating Zika virus.
- Combination therapies involving identified potent agents may offer effective treatment strategies.
- Addressing global challenges is essential for successful Zika virus mitigation.
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