May 15, 2019
One of the challenges for the consortium has been to identify specific and sensitive zika antibody assays for use in its prospective and retrospective studies. Recently the Diagnostic Development Laboratory of the BNITM (Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany) has developed the BLACKBOX® ZIKV IgG and IgM ELISA Kits
Translatable animal infection models ZIKV infection that recapitulate human disease can assist in unraveling the unique effects of ZIKV on the human reproductive tract and the developing fetus. Mice have been used as one of the most accessible models of ZIKV
The ZIKAction prospective cohort study of pregnant women and their Infants to investigate vertical transmission (VT) of ZIKV, CHIKV and DENV started enrolling in Jamaica in June 2017. This study saw 606 pregnant women enrolled in Greater Kingston, Jamaica, as of April 14, 2019
Jan 18, 2019
By Di Maio Ferreira FCPA, da Silva ASV, Bispo de Filippis AM, Brasil P.
We report here a probable case of vertical transmission of chikungunya infection with confirmed maternal viremia close to labor that led to severe infection in the newborn. The newborn progressed with cutaneous lesions and irritability 2 months after vertical transmission, when chikungunya virus was detected in the infant’s CSF by a molecular diagnostic test (real-time polymerase chain reaction).
Published in: J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2019 Jan 18.
Dec 25, 2018
By Mavian C, Dulcey M, Munoz O, Salemi M, Vittor AY, Capua I.
Within the context of the One Health approach, this review highlights how the emergence of arboviruses in tropical islands is linked to the complex interplay between their unique ecological settings and to the recent changes in local and global sociodemographic patterns. The authors also advocate for greater coordination between stakeholders in developing novel prevention and mitigation approaches for an intractable problem.
Published in: Viruses. 2019; 11(1):11
In this issue of the joint ZIKA consortia newsletter you can read about the recent award that was awarded to Prof. Celia Christie-Samuels, find information about the annual ZIKAction Consortium meeting in Rio de Janeiro
A very interesting oral presentation given by Toni Sorian-Arandes at the ESPID SYMPOSIUM.
We extend our hearty congratulations to Professor Celia Christie-Samuels, who on the National Heroes Day in Jamaica was conferred with the Jamaican national honour of Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander (CD).
Earlier this month the third annual ZIKAction Consortium meeting took place in Brazil. On 3-5th November around 40 scientists and health professionals gathered in Rio de Janeiro to discuss the ongoing project studies, review the progress already made and to deliberate on the challenges faced on the path towards a successful implementation of the project.
