Zika virus syndrome, lack of environmental policies and risks of worsening by cyanobacteria proliferation in a climate change scenario

Abstract

Almost half of the Brazilian population has no access to sewage collection and treatment. Untreated effluents discharged in waters of reservoirs for human supply favor the flowering of cyanobacteria – and these microorganisms produce toxins, such as saxitoxin, which is a very potent neurotoxin present in reservoirs in the Northeast region. A recent study confirmed that chronic ingestion of neurotoxin-infected water associated with Zika virus infection could lead to a microcephaly-like outcome in pregnant mice. Cyanobacteria benefit from hot weather and organic matter in water, a condition that has been intensified by climate change, according to our previous studies. Considering the new findings, we emphasize that zika arbovirus is widespread and worsened when associated with climate change, especially in middle- or low-income countries with low levels of sanitation coverage.

Methodologies for Generating Brain Organoids to Model Viral Pathogenesis in the CNS

“…This neurotoxin was shown to be harmful and doubled cell death in ZIKV infected brain organoids [78]. These findings have spurred further research into cyanobacterial and ZIKV infection [113,114]. Janssens et al were able to show that ZIKV changes DNA methylation at particular loci in COs, which was also found in infants born with microcephaly [115][116][117].…”

A review exploring the overarching burden of Zika virus with emphasis on epidemiological case studies from Brazil

“…Environmental pollution A study published in September 2019 associated, for the first time, the outcome of congenital malformations caused by Zika to the co-factor of contamination by saxitoxins in water for human supply. Saxitoxins are one of the most potent and common neurotoxic substances found in nature (Oliver and Ribeiro 2020). They are watersoluble and run through common water treatment systems (Oliver et al 2019).…”