IIT Mandi team has found that the FDA-approved drug for malaria (hydroxychloroquine or HCQ) binds to the protease enzyme of the Zika virus and stops the virus from replicating and surviving. When tested on placental cells infected with Zika virus, the malarial drug significantly reduced the viral load. Since the drug is approved for use … Continue reading Malarial drug effective for Zika virus treatment, IIT Mandi finds
Microcephaly
What the latest Zika outbreak in India means
A small study undertaken at JIPMER has found Zika virus antibodies in 14 of 90 patients with Guillain–Barré syndrome. This indicates that there might be a remote possibility of Zika virus silently circulating in some parts of India and could cause an epidemic at some future date. Is the latest Zika virus outbreak in Jaipur, which is the third … Continue reading What the latest Zika outbreak in India means
Podcast: How Zika virus causes microcephaly
Pankaj Seth of National Brain Research Centre (NBRC) explains how he and his team identified the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which Zika virus causes microcephaly. They found the envelop protein of the virus was responsible for arresting the proliferation of human foetal neural stem cells and for killing the cells that were becoming neuron-like. The … Continue reading Podcast: How Zika virus causes microcephaly
NBRC-led team deciphers how Zika virus causes microcephaly
The NBRC-led team of researchers has identified the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which Zika virus causes microcephaly. The envelop protein of the virus was responsible for arresting the proliferation of human foetal neural stem cells and also killing the cells that were becoming neuron-like. The combined effect reduces the pool of foetal brain cells leading to … Continue reading NBRC-led team deciphers how Zika virus causes microcephaly
The Asian Zika virus strain turns out to be more dangerous
The Asian strain showed greater ability to trigger immune suppression, which allows the virus to replicate and even possibly sneak into the womb and cause more foetal damage. Clinical studies have already shown that infection of pregnant women by the Asian Zika virus strain especially during the first and second trimester of pregnancy leads to … Continue reading The Asian Zika virus strain turns out to be more dangerous
Indian researcher finds malaria drug shields foetus against Zika virus
Effects of using hydroxychloroquine in pregnant women over a long term remains to be assessed. Commonly used malaria drug hydroxychloroquine can effectively block Zika virus from crossing the placenta and getting into the foetus and damaging its brain, say researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, US. The drug already has approval … Continue reading Indian researcher finds malaria drug shields foetus against Zika virus
Now, one Zika case reported from Tamil Nadu, India
There seems to be low-level transmission of Zika virus in India After three adults tested positive for Zika virus in Ahmedabad district, Gujarat in January this year, an adult male from Krishnagiri district in Tamil Nadu has now tested positive for the Zika virus. Zika infection in the 27-year-old male was diagnosed on July 1 … Continue reading Now, one Zika case reported from Tamil Nadu, India
Seventy-year journey of Zika virus
Zika is an arbovirus infection which occurs through the bite of several different species of Aedes mosquitoes, including the Aedes aegypti which is active during the day; it can also be transmitted sexually. The virus was first isolated from a rhesus monkey in Uganda in the Zika forest, near the western shore of Lake Victoria, … Continue reading Seventy-year journey of Zika virus
Ridiculous excuse for India’s shocking cover-up of Zika virus cases
It may well be said that the surveillance system put in place by the Health Ministry achieved a measure of success in identifying three adults who were infected with the Zika virus between November 2016 and February 2017 in Gujarat. Yet, the Ministry acted extremely irresponsibly by withholding the information from the local administration, doctors and the media. … Continue reading Ridiculous excuse for India’s shocking cover-up of Zika virus cases
Three Zika cases reported in Ahmedabad, India in Januray 2017
The dreaded Zika virus has finally reached the Indian shores. On May 15, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reported to the World Health Organisation three laboratory-confirmed cases of Zika virus disease in Bapunagar area, Ahmedabad District, Gujarat. “This report is important as it describes the first cases of Zika virus infections and provides … Continue reading Three Zika cases reported in Ahmedabad, India in Januray 2017
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