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ZIKV Demonstrates Minimal Pathologic Effects and Mosquito Infectivity in Viremic Cynomolgus Macaques

Sasha R Azar1,2,3, Shannan L Rossi4,5,6,7, Sherry H Haller8

  • 1Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA. srazar@utmb.edu.

Viruses
|November 25, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in cynomolgus macaques caused minimal disease but led to viremia capable of infecting mosquitoes. However, the infection rate in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes was low, suggesting macaques are a viable ZIKV model but mosquitoes are relatively refractory.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Primate Models

Background:

  • Zika virus (ZIKV) poses a significant public health threat.
  • Understanding ZIKV pathogenesis in animal models is crucial for vaccine and therapeutic development.
  • Non-human primates (NHPs) are being investigated as models for ZIKV infection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate ZIKV infection effects in cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis).
  • To determine if NHPs develop sufficient viremia to infect the urban vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti.
  • To assess ZIKV disease severity and transmission potential in this NHP model.

Main Methods:

  • Four cynomolgus macaques were infected with ZIKV (FSS13025 strain).
  • Animals were monitored daily, with blood, urine, tears, and saliva sampled.
  • NHPs were exposed to Aedes aegypti mosquitoes at specified time points post-infection.

Main Results:

  • All macaques developed viremia, peaking at 3-4 days post-infection (max 6.9 log10 genome copies/mL).
  • No ZIKV was detected in urine, tears, or saliva.
  • Mosquitoes exposed during peak viremia showed a maximum infection rate of 26%; two macaques did not infect any mosquitoes.

Conclusions:

  • Cynomolgus macaques serve as a potential model for human ZIKV infection.
  • ZIKV infection in these macaques caused minimal overt disease.
  • Aedes aegypti mosquitoes demonstrated relative refractoriness to ZIKV infection at observed viremia levels.
Keywords:
Aedes aegyptiFlaviviridaeMacaca fascicularisZika viruspathogenesisvector competence

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