Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV), an emerging virus belonging to the Flaviviridae family, causes severe neurological clinical complications and has been associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome, fetal abnormalities known collectively as congenital Zika syndrome, and microcephaly. Studies have shown that ZIKV infection can alter cellular metabolism, directly affecting neural development. Brain growth requires controlled cellular metabolism, which is essential for cell proliferation and maturation. However, little is known regarding the metabolic profile of ZIKV-infected newborns and possible associations related to microcephaly. Furthering the understanding surrounding underlying mechanisms is essential to developing personalized treatments for affected individuals. Thus, metabolomics, the study of the metabolites produced by or modified in an organism, constitutes a valuable approach in the study of complex diseases. Here, 26 serum samples from ZIKV-positive newborns with or without microcephaly, as well as controls, were analyzed using an untargeted metabolomics approach involving gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Significant alterations in essential and non-essential amino acids, as well as carbohydrates (including aldohexoses, such as glucose or mannose) and their derivatives (urea and pyruvic acid), were observed in the metabolic profiles analyzed. Our results provide insight into relevant metabolic processes in patients with ZIKV and microcephaly.
Highlights
Zika virus (ZIKV) was first identified in 1947 in the Zika forest of Uganda by a team monitoring yellow fever
Serum samples were collected from 26 newborns with symptoms suggestive of ZIKV, all born in 2016 at a maternity hospital located in Salvador, Bahia-Brazil
The samples were divided into three groups: confirmed Zika virus infection with microcephaly (ZPMP), ZIKV without microcephaly (ZPMN) and controls (ZNMN)
Summary
Zika virus (ZIKV) was first identified in 1947 in the Zika forest of Uganda by a team monitoring yellow fever. A recent systematic review presented theoretical aspects and described works involving metabolomics in the study of arboviruses, including ZIKV [17]. Some of these studies investigated the mechanism of viral replication in adult human serum [14], and one proposed a new machine learning (ML) algorithm for diagnostic purposes [15]. Diop et al studied congenital Zika syndrome in microglial cells to investigate the neuroinflammation induced by this infection These authors found several nonpolar metabolites (lipid derivatives) related to neuronal differentiation, viral replication and apoptosis regulation [16]. The present study applied a metabolomics approach in serum samples from ZIKVinfected newborns to elucidate metabolic changes possibly associated with the microcephaly development
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
