Zika Virus: Origins, Pathological Action, and Treatment Strategies

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Neuroscience
• Public Health

Background:

• Zika virus (ZIKV) caused a global epidemic, declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in 2016.
• ZIKV and its neurological complications pose a persistent global health challenge.
• Despite reduced cases, research and drug development for ZIKV remain critical due to re-emerging virus threats.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the progress in understanding ZIKV pathology.
• To explore the design, repurposing, and in vivo testing of anti-ZIKV drug candidates.
• To highlight effective ZIKV prophylaxis and therapy strategies.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on ZIKV origin and pathology.
• Analysis of drug repurposing efforts for ZIKV.
• Evaluation of drug efficacy in vivo using infected adult and pregnant mouse models.

Main Results:

• Significant progress in understanding ZIKV pathology.
• Identification of several FDA-approved drugs effective against ZIKV in mouse models.
• Demonstration of maternal-fetal ZIKV transmission prevention and microcephaly mitigation in pregnant mice.

Conclusions:

• Drug repurposing offers a rapid and effective strategy against ZIKV.
• FDA-approved drugs show potential for ZIKV prophylaxis and therapy, including in preventing congenital Zika syndrome.
• Continued research is vital to address the ongoing threat of ZIKV and similar emerging viruses.