Oropharyngeal mucosal transmission of Zika virus in rhesus macaques

Abstract

Zika virus is present in urine, saliva, tears, and breast milk, but the transmission risk associated with these body fluids is currently unknown. Here we evaluate the risk of Zika virus transmission through mucosal contact in rhesus macaques. Application of high-dose Zika virus directly to the tonsils of three rhesus macaques results in detectable plasma viremia in all animals by 2 days post-exposure; virus replication kinetics are similar to those observed in animals infected subcutaneously. Three additional macaques inoculated subcutaneously with Zika virus served as saliva donors to assess the transmission risk from contact with oral secretions from an infected individual. Seven naive animals repeatedly exposed to donor saliva via the conjunctivae, tonsils, or nostrils did not become infected. Our results suggest that there is a risk of Zika virus transmission via the mucosal route, but that the risk posed by oral secretions from individuals with a typical course of Zika virus infection is low.

Intranasal infection and contact transmission of Zika virus in guinea pigs

“…Especially, some preliminary in vitro assays have also demonstrated that human respiratory cells are highly susceptible to ZIKV 33 . Additionally, a recent paper published during the submission of our manuscript has demonstrated that direct inoculation of high-dose ZIKV into the tonsils in rhesus macaques resulted in productive infection 34 . These combined findings from cell culture and animal model call attention to the potential risk of ZIKV transmission via oral or nasal routes, such as the consumption of contaminated food or breast milk, or via nasal routes, such as the inhalation of or contact with contagious droplets or aerosols.…”

Rapid diagnosis of Zika virus through saliva and urine by Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)

“…Although saliva appears to be a useful sample to diagnose ZIKV infection during the acute phase, other studies have reported a low risk of transmission through this fluid [10,12,24]. …”

Mathematical modeling of within‐host Zika virus dynamics

“…Saliva from infected animals, despite containing viral RNA, does not appear to be capable of transmitting infection. 52 To further understanding of sexual transmission of ZIKV, vaginal, and rectal challenges have been used, 53,54 finding both routes are able to produce an infection measurable in serum ( Figure 3C), with dynamics that look very comparable to the subcutaneous infection route.…”