Zika crisis in Brazil: challenges in research and development

Abstract

Infection with the Zika virus (ZIKV) usually causes a mild acute illness, but two major severe syndromes have been described during the epidemic in Brazil: microcephaly and the Guillain-Barré Syndrome. There is now much evidence to show that ZIKV can infect and damage neuronal cells in vitro. In experimental animals, ZIKV has significant neurotropism and can cause brain damage. At present, diagnosis is still a challenge in the field and there is no treatment available. Another major challenge is that one must devise therapies for pregnant women, at all stages of pregnancy. Devising adequate treatment for ZIKV infections represents a challenge that will only be met by the joint effort of the research community.