Fetal Rhesus Monkey First Trimester Zika Virus Infection Impacts Cortical Development in the Second and Third Trimesters.

ABSTRACT: Zika virus is a teratogen similar to other neurotropic viruses, notably cytomegalovirus and rubella. The goal of these studies was to address the direct impact of Zika virus on fetal development by inoculating early gestation fetal rhesus monkeys using an ultrasound-guided approach (intraperitoneal vs. intraventricular). Growth and development were monitored across gestation, maternal samples collected, and fetal tissues obtained in the second trimester or near term. Although normal growth and anatomical development were observed, significant morphologic changes were noted in the cerebral cortex at 3-weeks post-Zika virus inoculation including massive alterations in the distribution, density, number, and morphology of microglial cells in proliferative regions of the fetal cerebral cortex;

SUBMITTER: Tarantal AF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8023859 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature