title: Zika Virus: Quantification, Propagation, Detection, and Storage.
abstract: Zika virus (ZIKV), belonging to the family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus, is an arthropod-borne virus that was first discovered from the Zika forest in Uganda in 1947. Recent outbreaks in South America have linked ZIKV to cases of microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome in humans. With the increased interest in ZIKV, protocols must be established to facilitate proper research. Here we describe the laboratory techniques required to quantify, propagate, and store ZIVK. We also review the proper safety protocol for the handling of ZIKV, which is classified as a Biosafety Level 2 pathogen by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Biotechnology, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Darrell S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Agbulos
authors.affiliation: Centre for Biotechnology, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.|Entomogen Incorporated, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Larissa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barelli
authors.affiliation: Centre for Biotechnology, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Bryan V
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.affiliation: Centre for Biotechnology, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.|Entomogen Incorporated, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.|Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Fiona F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Hunter
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011309:Preservation, Biological / Q000379:methods*; D014776:Virus Cultivation / Q000379:methods*; D000071244:Zika Virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000071243:Zika Virus Infection / Q000821:virology*
keywords: Vero cells; Zika virus; detection; infection; plaque assay