Utah State scientists work toward cure for Zika Virus
A rise in infants born with a developmental defect known as Microcephaly was brought to the attention of the Brazilian government last year. At the same time of this increase, Brazil has seen a large outbreak of the disease known as the Zika virus.
This strong correlation between the tropical virus and birth defect has caught the attention of scientists from many different fields who are now trying to discover if there is a link between the two or if there is another factor for the linkage. Other researchers are looking at possible forms of transmission.
Some scientists, such as Justin Julander, a research associate professor for the Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Science department at Utah State University’s Institute for Antiviral Research, are trying to identify viral treatments to cure or prevent the disease.
“To do that we generally employ cell culture testing, so we’ll test the drugs against the virus in cell cultures and if we find good activity there, we’ll move it onto animal models,” Julander said.
The goal of USU’s laboratory research is to find out how Zika might be linked to Microcephaly and then find ways to treat and prevent the disease, he said.
The institute started with a mouse model, where mice bred with a lower immune system are infected with the virus and then observed for their symptoms and recovery ability with the different potential drugs, said Jared Bennett, a junior in biology and lab technician for the project.
“A few of them died,” Bennett said, “Not very many of them died — most of them recovered, honestly.”
USU has also received grants and contracts to to observe the infection of Zika during pregnancy in rodent models, Julander said.
“I think it’s pretty awesome that we get to work on something so current and something that the whole world is kind of focused on right now,” said Makda Gebre, a graduate student in antiviral research. “Being able to do my part, however little it is, to help figure out what this virus does and what the best treatment could be, it’s just really great to be part of it, I think.”
Bennett said he felt nervous working with the virus at first.
“‘Cause mice kick and sometimes they’ll kick the needle,” Bennett said, “and like, I’ve never really had a close call, but the thoughts have been like, ‘Oh man, what if I poke myself?’”
It was important for the lab technicians and research assistants to know and understand the virus, including how it’s transmitted and the risk factors of the disease, Gebre said.
“We’ve developed some protocols in the lab to make sure that we’re protected,” she said. “We make sure that we wear the right PPE, or personal protective equipment, so masks, gloves, gowns and the whole thing.”
Zika originated in Africa in 1947, where it affected mostly primates and occasionally transferred over to humans, Julander said, “and it is primarily transmitted through mosquitoes, specifically the species Aedes Aegypti. Now it can be found in some areas of Asia and South America, favoring the more tropical areas where its host mosquito can be found.
“And typically the disease is pretty mild. You’ll get a fever or a rash, you know, things like that,” he said. “Most people, four out of five people who are infected don’t have any symptoms at all.”
The rise in Zika cases has seen a corresponding rise with more severe diseases in certain populations such as pregnant women, Julander said. Infection during pregnancy could possibly cause issues where the fetus can be infected and experience developmental problems.
“That’s one of the most devastating effects of this virus,” Gebre said, ” is that babies in Southern America are being born with Microcephaly, and the brain development of these babies are not up to par. They need constant care. It’s a very sad experience for a mother to have a baby and to have her baby go through that.”
Another population that has seen a rise in severe disease along with the Zika outbreak are people with antibodies to the Dengue, a common disease similar in symptoms and transmission to the Zika virus, Julander said.
“They think there might be a tie between the presence of Dengue antibodies with more severe diseases,” he said, “and they think that maybe the antibodies to Dengue may be helping the Zika virus cause a worse disease.”
For those populations at risk, like women who are pregnant or hope to be pregnant in the near future, Gebre suggests avoid traveling to areas that are affected by the outbreak, and to be aware of the risk of infection.
“When you hear a lot about it from the media, the first response is caution,” she said. “Which is understandable, but you also need to know the facts and actually know what’s real and what could actually happen instead of, you know, being afraid of all these things that could potentially happen.”
Julander said the best way to fight fear is with knowledge and understanding.
“The concern is real, but the hype is a little overblown,” he said. “This is a relatively benign virus in most people except for the relatively few who are pregnant or who are at risk for more serious complications, so treat it with forethought and knowledge, but don’t treat it with fear and hype.”
—miranda.lorenc@gmail.com
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