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Methods for Evaluating Neurotropic Viral Infections: Exploring Zika and Coronavirus Diseases
Jordane C Pimenta1,2, Jéssica A B Pereira2,3, Danielle Cunha Teixeira1,2
1Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|January 1, 2026
Summary
Emerging neurotropic infections like Zika virus and COVID-19 pose public health challenges. This study details murine models to investigate neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration caused by these viruses, aiding therapeutic development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Virology
- Public Health
Background:
- Emerging infections present significant public health challenges, necessitating rapid development of clinical protocols amid limited research.
- Zika virus (ZIKV) and COVID-19 share characteristics, including community spread, diagnostic limitations, perinatal neurological risks, and lack of effective treatments.
- Both ZIKV and SARS-CoV-2 can infect the central nervous system, leading to neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and behavioral changes like depression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe methods for studying neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in murine models of neurotropic viral infections.
- To provide a framework for understanding the short- and long-term effects of Zika virus and betacoronavirus (murine hepatitis virus, MHV) infections.
- To facilitate research in biosafety level 2 environments for neurotropic viral infections.
Main Methods:
- Development and utilization of murine models for Zika virus and murine hepatitis virus infection.
- Detailed protocols for viral inoculum preparation and administration.
- Tissue collection, histopathological analysis, and behavioral assessments in infected mice.
Main Results:
- Established methods for studying neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in mouse models of ZIKV and MHV.
- Demonstrated the utility of these models for analyzing viral effects on the central nervous system.
- Provided a comprehensive approach combining virological, pathological, and behavioral analyses.
Conclusions:
- Murine models are crucial for understanding the complex effects of neurotropic viral infections.
- The described methodologies enable robust investigation of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in ZIKV and MHV models.
- This work supports the development of effective clinical strategies for emerging neurotropic viral diseases.
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