Zika Fetal Neuropathogenesis: Etiology of a Viral Syndrome.

• Published in: PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
• Main Authors: Zachary A Klase, Svetlana Khakhina, Adriano De Bernardi Schneider, Michael V Callahan, Jill Glasspool-Malone, Robert Malone
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2016
• Subjects: Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270; Arctic; Barré
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0004877; https://doaj.org/article/80d036de51064e619b6ee75f8ecc7bb3

The ongoing Zika virus epidemic in the Americas and the observed association with both fetal abnormalities (primary microcephaly) and adult autoimmune pathology (Guillain-Barré syndrome) has brought attention to this neglected pathogen. While initial case studies generated significant interest in the Zika virus outbreak, larger prospective epidemiology and basic virology studies examining the mechanisms of Zika viral infection and associated pathophysiology are only now starting to be published. In this review, we analyze Zika fetal neuropathogenesis from a comparative pathology perspective, using the historic metaphor of "TORCH" viral pathogenesis to provide context. By drawing parallels to other viral infections of the fetus, we identify common themes and mechanisms that may illuminate the observed pathology. The existing data on the susceptibility of various cells to both Zika and other flavivirus infections are summarized. Finally, we highlight relevant aspects of the known molecular mechanisms of flavivirus replication.