RESUMEN
Because of the global spread of Zika virus, accurate and high-throughput diagnostic immunoassays are needed. We compared the sensitivity and specificity of 5 commercially available Zika virus serologic assays to the recommended protocol of Zika virus IgM-capture ELISA and plaque-reduction neutralization tests. Most commercial immunoassays showed low sensitivity, which can be increased.
Asunto(s)
Inmunoensayo/métodos , Infección por el Virus Zika/virología , Virus Zika/aislamiento & purificación , Anticuerpos Antivirales/análisis , Anticuerpos Antivirales/inmunología , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática/métodos , Humanos , Inmunoglobulina G/análisis , Inmunoglobulina G/inmunología , Inmunoglobulina M/análisis , Inmunoglobulina M/inmunología , Pruebas de Neutralización/métodos , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Virus Zika/inmunología , Infección por el Virus Zika/diagnósticoRESUMEN
Zika virus (ZIKV) is rapidly spreading throughout the Americas and is associated with significant fetal complications, most notably microcephaly. Treatment with polyclonal antibodies for pregnant women at risk of ZIKV-related complications could be a safe alternative to vaccination. We found that large quantities of human polyclonal antibodies could be rapidly produced in transchromosomal bovines (TcB) and successfully used to protect mice from lethal infection. Additionally, antibody treatment eliminated ZIKV induced tissue damage in immunologically privileged sites such as the brain and testes and protected against testicular atrophy. These data indicate that rapid development and deployment of human polyclonal antibodies could be a viable countermeasure against ZIKV.
Asunto(s)
Anticuerpos Antivirales/uso terapéutico , Testículo/patología , Infección por el Virus Zika/inmunología , Infección por el Virus Zika/prevención & control , Virus Zika/inmunología , Animales , Anticuerpos Neutralizantes/administración & dosificación , Anticuerpos Neutralizantes/inmunología , Anticuerpos Antivirales/administración & dosificación , Anticuerpos Antivirales/biosíntesis , Anticuerpos Antivirales/inmunología , Atrofia/prevención & control , Bovinos , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Ratones , Embarazo , Virus Zika/patogenicidad , Infección por el Virus Zika/patología , Infección por el Virus Zika/virologíaRESUMEN
Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging pathogen causally associated with serious sequelae in fetuses, inducing fetal microcephaly and other neurodevelopment defects. ZIKV is primarily transmitted by mosquitoes, but can persist in human semen and sperm, and sexual transmission has been documented. Moreover, exposure of type-I interferon knockout mice to ZIKV results in severe damage to the testes, epididymis and sperm. Candidate ZIKV vaccines have shown protective efficacy in preclinical studies carried out in animal models, and several vaccines have entered clinical trials. Here, we report that administration of a synthetic DNA vaccine encoding ZIKV pre-membrane and envelope (prME) completely protects mice against ZIKV-associated damage to the testes and sperm and prevents viral persistence in the testes following challenge with a contemporary strain of ZIKV. These data suggest that DNA vaccination merits further investigation as a potential means to reduce ZIKV persistence in the male reproductive tract.