title: Zika Virus Infection: Current Concerns and Perspectives.
abstract: The Zika virus outbreaks highlight the growing importance need for a reliable, specific and rapid diagnostic device to detect Zika virus, as it is often recognized as a mild disease without being identified. Many Zika virus infection cases have been misdiagnosed or underreported because of the non-specific clinical presentation. The aim of this review was to provide a critical and comprehensive overview of the published peer-reviewed evidence related to clinical presentations, various diagnostic methods and modes of transmission of Zika virus infection, as well as potential therapeutic targets to combat microcephaly. Zika virus is mainly transmitted through bites from Aedes aegypti mosquito. It can also be transmitted through blood, perinatally and sexually. Pregnant women are advised to postpone or avoid travelling to areas where active Zika virus transmission is reported, as this infection is directly linked to foetal microcephaly. Due to the high prevalence of Guillain-Barre syndrome and microcephaly in the endemic area, it is vital to confirm the diagnosis of Zika virus. Zika virus infection had been declared as a public health emergency and of international concern by the World Health Organisation. Governments and agencies should play an important role in terms of investing time and resources to fundamentally understand this infection so that a vaccine can be developed besides raising awareness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, 57000, Malaysia. kanpharm2002@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mari Kannan
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Maharajan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, 57000, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Aruna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ranjan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, 57000, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Jian Feng
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, 57000, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Wei Lim
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Foo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, 57000, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Zhi Xin
authors.initials: ZX
authors.lastname: Chai
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, 57000, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Eileen YinYien
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, 57000, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Heuy Mien
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, 57000, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Xi Jin
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Theam
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, 57000, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Yen Ling
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Lok
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D065632:Chikungunya Fever / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003715:Dengue / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D009026:Mortality; D012106:Research; D012307:Risk Factors; D056189:Viral Tropism; D014765:Viral Vaccines; D000071244:Zika Virus / Q000502:physiology*; D000071243:Zika Virus Infection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D014765:Viral Vaccines
keywords: Cytokines; Diagnosis; Management; Transmission; Zika virus