Zika Virus, Microcephaly and its Possible Global Spread

Abstract

Zika virus is an arbovirus that is spreading at an alarming state in the American continents and now in Asian countries. The Aedes mosquitoes are the vectors for the spread of this virus beside other ways of transmission. Currently, there are no vaccines or drugs available for its treatment. The Zika virus-related microcephaly cases are reported in fetuses of pregnant women who got this viral infection. However, the exact mechanism of Zika virus and microcephaly is still not established. Here we review Zika virus epidemiology, its unusual relationship with microcephaly in fetuses and current scientific research progress on it.not favorable for Aedes mosquitos [35]. In such areas, blood and semen donations should be properly checked for the presence of Zika virus, and further, people coming from affected areas should take care when they donate blood and semen in unaffected areas [36]. Relation between Zika virus and microcephalyMicrocephaly is one of the associated medical effects of Zika virus infection in mothers with their new born babies [36][37][38][39][40]. In the past, cases of Zika virus with microcephaly were not that common, but in Brazil, it was observed that the rate of microcephaly is twenty times more, which is quite alarming and new cases are still emerging [41]. Zika virus has the capacity to cross the placental barrier and infect the fetus [42,43]. The infected mothers of these babies have rashes in the first and second trimesters [44]. Beside microcephaly, brain calcifications, cataracts and intraocular calcifications of eyes in fetuses are also reported [45]. In other cases, agyria, hydrocephalus and associated cortical displacement and mild focal inflammation are also present [46][47][48]. Similarly in another case in addition to the above-mentioned symptoms,

Computational Study of SARS-CoV-2 RNA Dependent RNA Polymerase Allosteric Site Inhibition

“…In the last two decades, we have seen the emergence of several viral pandemics across the globe like Ebola, SARs, MERs, ZIKV and SARS-CoV-2 [ 4 , 43 , 44 ]. To control the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and other zoonotic viruses, it is important to use a multi-pronged strategy.…”

“…Based on several of these computational observations, aureusidin 4,6-diglucoside is the most promising candidate for future experimental studies. In the last two decades, we have seen the emergence of several viral pandemics across the globe like Ebola, SARs, MERs, ZIKV and SARS-CoV-2 [4,52,53]. To control the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and other zoonotic viruses, it is important to use a multi-pronged strategy.…”

Alkaloids As Potential Antiviral : A Comprehensive Review

“…Coronaviruses are also known as picornaviruses [50]. They carry a positive-sense RNA as genetic material and are commonly found in birds and other animals [51].They cause a variety of disorders, the most prevalent of which are respiratory diseases including SARS-CoV-2 [52][53][54][55].…”

Alkaloids as potential antivirals. A comprehensive review

“…In young newborns, it causes disorders like brain microcephaly. ZIKV outbreaks have been documented all over the world [51][52][53][54][55][56][57].…”