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Review
. 2016 Jul 1;73(7):875-9.
doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2016.0800.

Zika Virus as an Emerging Global Pathogen: Neurological Complications of Zika Virus

J David Beckham  1 , Daniel M Pastula  2 , Aaron Massey  3 , Kenneth L Tyler  2
Affiliations
Review

Zika Virus as an Emerging Global Pathogen: Neurological Complications of Zika Virus

J David Beckham et al. JAMA Neurol. .

Abstract

Importance: Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) in the genus Flavivirus that has caused a widespread outbreak of febrile illness, is associated with neurological disease, and has spread across the Pacific to the Americas in a short period.

Observations: In this review, we discuss what is currently known about ZIKV, neuroimmunologic complications, and the impact on global human health. Zika virus spread across Africa and Asia in part owing to unique genomic evolutionary conditions and pressures resulting in specific human disease manifestations, complications, and pathogenesis. Recent data suggest that acute ZIKV infection in pregnant women may result in acute infection of fetal tissue and brain tissue, causing microcephaly and potentially severe debilitation of the infant or even death of the fetus. Cases of acute ZIKV are also associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome. With the increased number of cases, new complications such as ocular involvement and sexual transmission have been reported.

Conclusions and relevance: Zika virus is an emerging viral pathogen with significant consequences on human health throughout the world. Ongoing research into this pathogen is urgently needed to produce viable vaccine and therapeutic options.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures: None reported.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Organization of the Flavivirus Genome
Flaviviruses have capped RNA genomes with 5′ and 3′ noncoding (NC) regions. Following the 5′ NC region, flavivirus genes are translated as a single polyprotein and cleaved into structural proteins (capsid [C], premembrane [prM], and envelope [E]) and nonstructural (NS) proteins (NS1, NS2A, NS2B, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, and NS5). Adapted from Petersen and Roehrig.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Map of Current Regions in the Americas Experiencing Active Zika Virus Infections
Adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Algorithm for Evaluation of Pregnant Women With a Possible Exposure to Zika Virus
Adapted from Oduyebo et al.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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