Experimental evidence for a high rate of maternal-fetal transmission of dengue virus in the presence of antibodies in immunocompromised mice.

Background: Congenital disorders associated with prenatal vertical transmission of Zika virus (ZIKV) is well established since the 2016 outbreak in the Americas. However, despite clinical reports of similar mode of transmission for other flaviviruses such as dengue virus (DENV), the phenomenon has not been experimentally explored.

Methods: Pregnant AG129 mice were infected with DENV1 in the presence or absence of enhancing antibodies at different gestational time points.

Assessing the utility of antivirals for preventing maternal-fetal transmission of zika virus in pregnant mice.

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy has been associated with adverse outcomes and birth defects such as microcephaly in newborn children. Congenital malformations associated with ZIKV are believed to occur via direct infection of the fetus. Unfortunately, there are no licensed therapeutic or preventative tools to block maternal-fetal transmission of ZIKV.

Stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 is required for flavivirus RNA replication.

Dengue virus (DENV) is the most prevalent human arthropod-borne virus and causes severe problems worldwide, mainly in tropical and sub-tropical regions. However, there is no specific antiviral drug against DENV infection. We and others recently reported that stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1) inhibitor showed potent suppression of hepatitis C virus replication.

Dengue Virus and Zika Virus Serological Cross-reactivity and Their Impact on Pathogenesis in Mice.

Preexisting immunity to Zika virus (ZIKV) or dengue virus (DENV) may alter the course of their infection, and here we use robust mouse models to examine pathological outcomes following passive immunization, sequential cross-infection, or vaccination with inactivated virus. DENV infection was enhanced (through antibody-dependent enhancement [ADE]) or was suppressed by both DENV and ZIKV immunity. Notably, inactivated ZIKV vaccination enhanced dengue disease severity, although it was highly protective against ZIKV infection.