Author: Aldiyarbek Nurlan
Translator: Bolysbek Dana
Editor: Akhmetova Aigerim
Infections in the perinatal period are associated with lasting cognitive impairment and increased risk for psychological disorders. The congenital brain malformations associated with Zika virus infections early in pregnancy are well documented. But the potential defects and long-term consequences associated with milder infections in late pregnancy and the perinatal period are less well understood. To address this knowledge gap, Verthelyi and colleagues exposed one-day-old mice to the Zika virus and monitored the neurological and behavioral consequences up to one year later.
The animals developed a transient neurological syndrome characterized by unsteady gait, tremors, and seizures 10 to 15 days after infection, but these symptoms subsided after one week, and most animals survived. Despite the apparent recovery, a year later, the Zika virus and inflammation were found in the central nervous system of the mice. In these older mice, the volume of an area of the brain called the cerebellum was reduced, resulting in significant long-term deficits in motor function and coordination. In addition, older mice exhibited anxiety, hyperactivity, and impulsive or risky behavior. Based on these findings, the authors recommend long-term neurological and behavioral monitoring of patients exposed to the virus at an early age, as well as antiviral treatment to clear the persistent reservoirs in the brain.
The authors conclude: "There is growing evidence that new viruses such as Zika and Chikungunya can create reservoirs in immune privileged sites and play a role in the development of chronic diseases."
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/12/201210145847.htm
