Zika virus pathogenesis and current therapeutic advances

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Immunology
• Public Health

Background:

• Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging arthropod-borne flavivirus causing teratogenic effects and neurological disorders.
• ZIKV infections present significant global public health challenges, necessitating research into effective antivirals and vaccines.
• Current understanding of ZIKV pathogenesis and immune evasion mechanisms remains incomplete, with no approved specific treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive summary of ZIKV pathogenesis.
• To review current advancements in the development of vaccines and drugs against ZIKV.
• To highlight ongoing research efforts and clinical trial progress.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on ZIKV pathogenesis.
• Analysis of various antiviral drug development strategies, including targeting viral/host proteins and drug repurposing.
• Evaluation of diverse vaccine platforms (DNA, mRNA, viral vectors, etc.) and their immunogenic potential.

Main Results:

• Several antiviral strategies are under investigation, with drug repurposing being a cost-effective approach.
• Multiple vaccine platforms have demonstrated ability to induce humoral and cellular immune responses, reducing viral load in vitro and in vivo.
• A significant number of ZIKV vaccines have advanced to clinical trials.

Conclusions:

• A deeper understanding of ZIKV's disease mechanisms is crucial for developing effective therapeutic agents.
• Ongoing research into antivirals and vaccines shows promise, with several candidates progressing through clinical development.
• Continued investigation into ZIKV pathogenesis and immune responses will guide future therapeutic and preventative strategies.