Zika Virus Latest News And Update: Can It Breach Placental Barrier And Affect The Fetus?

A new study reveals Zika Virus can breach placental barrier damaging certain cells and effect fetus. Scientist and researcher are conducting studies to find out more details about the virus, its symptoms, and its treatment.

In April 2007, when the world witnessed the first outbreak of Zika virus, they assumed it is only limited to the island of yap. Zika virus outbreak has been declared 'Public Health Emergency of International Concern' by WHO and it has estimated that the virus has affected 1.5 million people in Brazil.

It is often characterized by symptoms like a high fever which often refer as Zika fever, rash, conjunctivitis, arthralgia symptoms which are often confused with that of  Dengue or Chikungunya.

According to Medical Xpress, a recent study conducted on pregnant women revealed that the virus infection has the capability to damage placental formation and function. The HSV-2 virus (herpes simplex virus-2) infection supplements Zika virus by enhancing the receptors that allow Zika virus to enter cells.

This research will help us understand the mechanism by which Zika virus penetrates placenta and reaches the fetus. It is also revealed that fetus carried by pregnant women with the HSV-2 infection have higher chances of microcephaly and other infections from Zika virus.

As reported by News-medical, Dr. Gil More, a Senior author of the American Journal of Reproductive Immunology study, stated:

"Something much worse than Zika virus is causing causalities in Brazil and further studies have revealed that HSV-2 virus increases the adverse effects of Zika virus."

A report by ScienceDaily suggests, there are typically three types of cell found in the placental tissue. These three cells are Hofbauer, cytotrophoblasts, and fibroblasts cell. Erol Fikrig along with a team of senior reporters conducted research on how Zika virus infects the 3 different types of cell found in placental tissue and discovered that Zika virus can infect Hofbauer and Fibroblasts in isolated cultures. Also, it is revealed that Hofbauer cell that migrates with-in the placental may carry Zika virus to the fetal brain.

The global concern about the lack of treatments for Zika virus and its breaching of the placental barrier are on the rise. We hope that with the finding of these study researchers come closer to finding a permanent cure to the deadly Zika virus.