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Zika Fever

Our team at IBT Bioservices has extensive experience in preclinical testing services to assess the viability and effectiveness of novel therapies against arboviruses including chikungunya, dengue, and Zika viruses.

CAUSED BY

 Zika virus, transmitted via bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.

SYMPTOMS

Includes fever, rash, joint pain, muscle pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). These symptoms typically last for a few days to a week

Treatment

There is no specific antiviral treatment for Zika virus infection. Management is typically supportive and involves addressing symptoms

VIRUS FAMILY

Belongs to the Flaviviridae family and the Flavivirus genus

Arboviruses are a group of viruses that are primarily transmitted to humans and other vertebrates through the bites of arthropods, particularly mosquitoes and ticks. These viruses are responsible for a wide range of diseases in humans and animals. The most common arboviral diseases include dengue fever, Zika virus, West Nile virus, chikungunya, and various forms of encephalitis. IBT Bioservices is a world leader in producing and offering unique reagents for arbovirus research.We offers a diverse array of products and services designed to facilitate arbovirus research, ranging from viral proteins to antiserum and antibodies.

OUR COMPREHENSIVE RANGE INCLUDES

Antiserum

Purified monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies

Recombinant proteins

Rest assured, our reagents are of exceptional quality, and they are available for purchase to support your research endeavors.

Our preclinical testing services for arboviruses encompass a wide range of assessments, including:

ANTIVIRAL ASSAYS

IBT offers various cell-based assays to evaluate the antiviral activity of potential drugs against the Zika virus. These include evaluating the potency of your compounds to prevent the cytopathic effect of the virus induced during infection. The various formats of the assay (Plaque Assay, Yield Reduction Assay, CPE, Microneutralization, or pseudovirus neutralization) provide valuable insights into the mechanism of action of potential treatments and their impact on viral replication and host cell interactions, a critical step prior to evaluation of potency in animal models.

PHARMACOKINETIC AND TOXICOLOGY STUDIES

Understanding how potential treatments are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated by the body is crucial. Our comprehensive pharmacokinetic studies provide valuable insights into the drug’s behavior, bioavailability, and optimal dosage. Additionally, toxicology evaluations ensure the safety of the treatment candidates, assessing potential adverse effects and determining the appropriate dosage range in rodent models.

ANIMAL MODELS

IBT has extensive expertise in working with AG129 mice, which are widely utilized in arbovirus research, including the study of Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya. AG129 mice are a genetically modified strain of laboratory mice with a double knockout of IFN-α/β and IFN-γ receptors, rendering them unable to respond to these interferons. This model serves as an excellent platform for evaluating the efficacy of antiviral treatments against highly pathogenic Ebola and Marburg viruses using pseudoviruses in a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) laboratory setting.

Our in vivo studies with AG129 mice provide valuable insights into the treatment’s ability to control viral replication, mitigate disease severity, and improve overall outcomes. Get a deeper understanding of your biological by employing a multifaceted approach and incorporating histopathology assessments, serology techniques such as ELISA or Luminex, and neutralization assays available at IBT. IBT provides the perfect platform with comprehensive methodologies that enable you to thoroughly evaluate the study outcomes, shedding light on the treatment’s effectiveness against these viral infections.

Description:IBT has established a lethal Zika infection model in AG129 mice. All mice succumbed to infection by day 12 of the study when challenged with 1.00E+04 PFU/mouse of Zika virus (Strain FSS13025). The figures above show trends in animal weight and health data. Animal health scores increased daily, with mice reaching a clinical score of 6 on day 12. Mice weights continued to decline starting on day 3p.i until day of death.

Description: Reproductive tissues collected from infected mice 4-, 6-, and 8-days post infection were analyzed for viral load via plaque assay. Viral load in ovaries peaked at 6 days post infection while the viral load in testes continued to rise even at 8 days post infection.Serum and tissues collected from infected mice 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-days post infection were analyzed for viral load via plaque assay. Serum viral load peaked at 4 days post infection while most tissue viral load peaked at 6 days post infection.

At IBT, we are committed to advancing the field of Zika virus research and development through reliable and accurate preclinical testing services. Our dedication to scientific excellence, ethical practices, and adherence to regulatory guidelines positions us as a trusted partner in the fight against this global health challenge. We have a diverse portfolio of past projects that encompassed the evaluation of various interventions, including vaccines, antibodies, DNA-hybrid moieties, mRNA, and numerous others.Contact us today to learn more about how our in vitro and in vivo preclinical testing services can accelerate the development of promising treatments for the Zika virus. Together, let’s make a difference in saving lives and securing a healthier future in the battle against this mosquito-borne virus.

REFRENCES

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33206639/
REFRENCE NUMBER: 33206639