Did Zika Virus Mutate to Cause Severe Outbreaks?

Trends Microbiol. 2018 Oct;26(10):877-885. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2018.05.007. Epub 2018 Jun 11.

Abstract

Zika virus (ZIKV) has challenged the assumed knowledge regarding the pathobiology of flaviviruses. Despite causing sporadic and mild disease in the 50 years since its discovery, Zika virus has now caused multiple outbreaks in dozens of countries worldwide. Moreover, the disease severity in recent outbreaks, with neurological disease in adult and devastating congenital malformations in fetuses, was not previously seen. One hypothesis is that the virus has acquired mutations that have increased its virulence. Indeed, mutations in other arboviruses, such as West Nile virus (WNV), chikungunya virus (CHIKV), and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), have enhanced outbreaks. This possibility, as well as alternative hypotheses, are explored here.

Keywords: Zika; Zika virus; adaptive mutations; evolution; outbreak.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Africa / epidemiology
  • Americas / epidemiology
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Asia / epidemiology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Fetus / abnormalities
  • Fetus / virology
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mutation*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Zika Virus / genetics*
  • Zika Virus / pathogenicity*
  • Zika Virus Infection / complications
  • Zika Virus Infection / epidemiology
  • Zika Virus Infection / pathology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral