Current Progress in the Development of Zika Virus Vaccines

Abstract

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arbovirus first discovered in the Americas. ZIKV infection is insidious based on its mild clinical symptoms observed after infection. In Brazil, after 2015, ZIKV infection broke out on a large scale, and many infected pregnant women gave birth to babies with microcephaly. The teratogenic effects of the virus on the fetus and its effects on nerves and the immune system have attracted great attention. Currently, no specific prophylactics or therapeutics are clinically available to treat ZIKV infection. Development of a safe and effective vaccine is essential to prevent the rise of any potential pandemic. In this review, we summarize the latest research on Zika vaccine development based on different strategies, including DNA vaccines, subunit vaccines, live-attenuated vaccines, virus-vector-based vaccines, inactivated vaccines, virus-like particles (VLPs), mRNA-based vaccines, and others. We anticipate that this review will facilitate further progress toward the development of effective and safe vaccines against ZIKV infection.

Inhibition of the DENV2 and ZIKV RNA polymerases by Galidesivir triphosphate measured using a continuous fluorescence assay

“…Vaccines are currently available for JEV, TBEV, YFV and DENV, and clinical trials are being undertaken for ZIKV and WNV vaccines (Zhou et al, 2021; Ulbert, 2019). However, existing flavivirus vaccines are of variable efficacy, and their development has not always been straightforward, because of the complex immunological response to infection by different flaviviruses, and the presence of multiple endemic flaviviruses in tropical regions (Fischer et al, 2020; Sridhar et al, 2018).…”

Compreensão do consentimento informado em pesquisa clínica de vacina contra o Zika vírus: estudo transversal

“…The Zika virus is transmitted mainly by infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which can cause serious problems in children and adults (4) . Despite outbreaks of virus infection peaking in 2016 and decreasing substantially throughout 2017 and 2018 in the American region, a vaccine is still urgently needed to limit the emergence of another epidemic (4,5) . In response to this challenge, researchers and pharmaceutical companies globally have implemented clinical trials to assess the efficacy and safety of Zika virus vaccine candidates (4,5) .…”

“…Despite outbreaks of virus infection peaking in 2016 and decreasing substantially throughout 2017 and 2018 in the American region, a vaccine is still urgently needed to limit the emergence of another epidemic (4,5) . In response to this challenge, researchers and pharmaceutical companies globally have implemented clinical trials to assess the efficacy and safety of Zika virus vaccine candidates (4,5) . In Brazil, a research center in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, was the field of the "Phase 2/2B multicenter randomized study to evaluate the safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of a Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) vaccine against Zika virus in healthy adults and adolescents".…”

Are We Aware of Zika Virus as Intensive Care Nurses?

“…On the other hand, vaccine development studies are still in progress. 7 Maintaining sufficient fluid balance and rest is recommended. 8 The virus was reported ain Brazil in 2015 and was spread rapidly across America, and has been reported in more than 20 countries.…”