title: Mechanisms and possible controls of the in utero Zika virus infection: Where is the Holy Grail?
abstract: Zika virus infection (ZVI) is a great concern for human health because it frequently causes fetal anomalies. Little is known about pathophysiology of ZVI because it has been regarded as a mild, no life-threatening infection. However, the latest endemic in South and Central America took attention of perinatologists, microbiologists, and pathologists. Both in vivo and in vitro studies suggest neurotropic nature of Zika virus but do not clarify viral kinetics during vertical transmissions. In this review, we focus on the clinical and microbiological natures ZVI for pregnant women especially how placental barriers are broken down.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazumasa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fuwa
authors.affiliation: Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hayakawa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002489:Central America; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D009420:Nervous System / Q000821:virology*; D010920:Placenta / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000821:virology*; D013020:South America; D014599:Uterus / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D056189:Viral Tropism; D000071244:Zika Virus / Q000276:immunology*; D000071243:Zika Virus Infection / Q000276:immunology* / Q000635:transmission*
keywords: TORCH syndrome; Zika virus; microcephaly; vertical transmission