Zika virus infection and persistence in body fluids. vers 11, 22 Dec
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Zika virus infection and persistence in body fluids.
IRAS ID
218455
Contact name
Andrew Simpson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Public Health England
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Zika is a virus which is transmitted by mosquito bites and can cause a spectrum of clinical illness in humans, ranging from fever and rash to neurological complications such as Guillain-Barre syndrome. This infection is acquired whilst travelling overseas, particularly Central and South America, the Caribbean, Oceania and South East Asia. The Aedes mosquito associated with this infection does not occur in the UK, as it prefers a tropical or sub-tropical climate.
Recently there has been a particular interest in the association between Zika infection in the mother during pregnancy and severe birth defects in the baby, such as a small head (microcephaly) or other brain or eye abnormalities.
Although almost all infections of Zika are transmitted via mosquito bites, occasionally this infection is acquired via the placenta from the mother to her unborn child or via sexual contact between partners. At present it is unclear for how long Zika virus can be detected in the semen or vaginal fluid and hence pose a risk to the sexual partner.
We would like to determine the extent to which Zika virus can be detected in urine, semen, vaginal fluid and saliva of patients with proven infection with this virus. Testing of semen and vaginal fluid would help assess the risk of sexual transmission to a partner.
In addition to testing of Zika antibodies, detection of Zika virus by Polymerase Chain reaction (PCR) has an important role to play in the diagnosis of Zika infection. Recent case reports indicate that Zika virus can be detected for longer periods in whole blood compared with serum or plasma. Further information with regards to the persistence of Zika virus in whole blood as well as urine may contribute to improved diagnostics.
This research will take place at Public Health England in Porton Down.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/SC/0024
Date of REC Opinion
24 Feb 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion