Pathogenesis and sexual transmission of Spondweni and Zika viruses.

The Spondweni serogroup of viruses (Flaviviridae, Flavivirus) is comprised of Spondweni virus (SPONV) and Zika virus (ZIKV), which are mosquito-borne viruses capable of eliciting human disease. Numerous cases of ZIKV sexual transmission in humans have been documented following the emergence of the A...

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Main Authors: Erin M McDonald, Nisha K Duggal, Aaron C Brault
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2017-10-01
Series:PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Online Access:http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC5655359?pdf=render
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author Erin M McDonald
Nisha K Duggal
Aaron C Brault
author_facet Erin M McDonald
Nisha K Duggal
Aaron C Brault
author_sort Erin M McDonald
collection DOAJ
description The Spondweni serogroup of viruses (Flaviviridae, Flavivirus) is comprised of Spondweni virus (SPONV) and Zika virus (ZIKV), which are mosquito-borne viruses capable of eliciting human disease. Numerous cases of ZIKV sexual transmission in humans have been documented following the emergence of the Asian genotype in the Americas. The African ZIKV genotype virus was previously implicated in the first reported case of ZIKV sexual transmission. Reports of SPONV infection in humans have been associated with non-specific febrile illness, but no association with sexual transmission has been reported. In order to assess the relative efficiency of sexual transmission of different ZIKV strains and the potential capacity of SPONV to be sexually transmitted, viral loads in the male reproductive tract and in seminal fluids were assessed in interferon α/β and -γ receptor deficient (AG129) mice. Male mice were inoculated subcutaneously with Asian genotype ZIKV strains PRVABC59 (Puerto Rico, 2015), FSS13025 (Cambodia, 2010), or P6-740 (Malaysia, 1966); African genotype ZIKV strain DakAr41524 (Senegal, 1984); or SPONV strain SAAr94 (South Africa, 1955). Infectious virus was detected in 60-72% of ejaculates collected from AG129 mice inoculated with ZIKV strains. In contrast, only 4% of ejaculates from SPONV-inoculated AG129 males were found to contain infectious virus, despite viral titers in the testes that were comparable to those of ZIKV-inoculated mice. Based on these results, future studies should be undertaken to assess the role of viral genetic determinants and host tropism that dictate the differential sexual transmission potential of ZIKV and SPONV.
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spelling doaj.art-e7c3eda527ca4572a85850fb0daf0c4d2022-12-21T18:15:25ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases1935-27271935-27352017-10-011110e000599010.1371/journal.pntd.0005990Pathogenesis and sexual transmission of Spondweni and Zika viruses.Erin M McDonaldNisha K DuggalAaron C BraultThe Spondweni serogroup of viruses (Flaviviridae, Flavivirus) is comprised of Spondweni virus (SPONV) and Zika virus (ZIKV), which are mosquito-borne viruses capable of eliciting human disease. Numerous cases of ZIKV sexual transmission in humans have been documented following the emergence of the Asian genotype in the Americas. The African ZIKV genotype virus was previously implicated in the first reported case of ZIKV sexual transmission. Reports of SPONV infection in humans have been associated with non-specific febrile illness, but no association with sexual transmission has been reported. In order to assess the relative efficiency of sexual transmission of different ZIKV strains and the potential capacity of SPONV to be sexually transmitted, viral loads in the male reproductive tract and in seminal fluids were assessed in interferon α/β and -γ receptor deficient (AG129) mice. Male mice were inoculated subcutaneously with Asian genotype ZIKV strains PRVABC59 (Puerto Rico, 2015), FSS13025 (Cambodia, 2010), or P6-740 (Malaysia, 1966); African genotype ZIKV strain DakAr41524 (Senegal, 1984); or SPONV strain SAAr94 (South Africa, 1955). Infectious virus was detected in 60-72% of ejaculates collected from AG129 mice inoculated with ZIKV strains. In contrast, only 4% of ejaculates from SPONV-inoculated AG129 males were found to contain infectious virus, despite viral titers in the testes that were comparable to those of ZIKV-inoculated mice. Based on these results, future studies should be undertaken to assess the role of viral genetic determinants and host tropism that dictate the differential sexual transmission potential of ZIKV and SPONV.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC5655359?pdf=render
spellingShingle Erin M McDonald
Nisha K Duggal
Aaron C Brault
Pathogenesis and sexual transmission of Spondweni and Zika viruses.
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
title Pathogenesis and sexual transmission of Spondweni and Zika viruses.
title_full Pathogenesis and sexual transmission of Spondweni and Zika viruses.
title_fullStr Pathogenesis and sexual transmission of Spondweni and Zika viruses.
title_full_unstemmed Pathogenesis and sexual transmission of Spondweni and Zika viruses.
title_short Pathogenesis and sexual transmission of Spondweni and Zika viruses.
title_sort pathogenesis and sexual transmission of spondweni and zika viruses
url http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC5655359?pdf=render
work_keys_str_mv AT erinmmcdonald pathogenesisandsexualtransmissionofspondweniandzikaviruses
AT nishakduggal pathogenesisandsexualtransmissionofspondweniandzikaviruses
AT aaroncbrault pathogenesisandsexualtransmissionofspondweniandzikaviruses