Hot Topics in Neuroscience: Zika Microcephaly
Discussion
Zika virus can be detected in almost all body fluids. Its various methods of transmission and sequelae have created global public health concerns. The virus can negatively affect neurologic outcomes of development at all stages of pregnancy; there is evidence to substantiate a significant association between zika infections during gestation and microcephaly.1–8 Despite the World Health Organization and CDC having developed guidelines for pregnant women, there is no proven link to fully verify the confirmed or potential neurological risks during a concurrent zika virus infection.7 It has recently been demonstrated that a combination of intrinsic antiviral responses and the quick type I interferon production by astrocytes has an important role in self-protection of astrocytes and suppression of flavivirus replication in the brain.9
Since the safety profile remains unclarified, everyone should be up to date about zika prevention and gestational concerns. Zika-induced microcephaly can yield a life-long disability. Current CDC guidelines recommend that men should abstain from any direct sexual contact for at least six months and women should not become pregnant for at least eight weeks after a potential and/or proven zika exposure.10 Whether this is a long enough interval for safety from developmental anomalies of the brain remains to be verified.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Microcephaly & other birth defects. Zika Virus website....
Source: Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience - Category: Neuroscience Authors: ICNS Online Editor Tags: Current Issue Hot Topics in Neuroscience microcephaly zika Source Type: research
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