American researchers found that sika virus can infect the eye
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Zika virus can survive in the eye and may spread through tears. Image source: Mineretal.
Researchers at the University of Washington in the United States conducted a study of a Zika virus-infected mouse model, which revealed that the virus can infect specific areas of the eye, leading to uveitis and conjunctivitis. This may be the cause of eye diseases or even blindness in 10% to 15% of patients infected with Zika. In addition, after the Zika virus was cleared, the researchers found viral RNA in the tears of rodents. Scientists suspect that the virus continues to replicate in the lacrimal glands or cornea outside of the immune system. Recently, researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine published relevant conclusions in Cell-Communication.
"To better understand Zika virus infection in the eye, human studies are needed, but such animal models are very useful in showing what might happen and detecting new therapies." Joint investigator, University of Washington Medical School ophthalmologist And molecular biologist Rajendra Apte mentioned.
To understand the effects of Zika virus on the eye, the researchers mimicked the way humans were infected by mosquito bites and injected Zika virus into the rats. Seven days later, they found the Zika virus in the eyes of these mice. It was followed by conjunctivitis and uveitis in the eyes of mice. Researchers say many adult patients are also infected with conjunctivitis, but there are few cases of uveitis. The iris, retina, and optic nerve are mainly concentrated in the uvea.
It is still unclear how the virus entered the eye. "The virus may enter the eye from the brain along the optic nerve, or it may cross the retinal barrier." The study's lead author S. Diamond pointed out that Zika may also spread through contact with the tears of infected people.
The researchers also explored whether the Zika virus in the eye could be infected. It was found that although the Zhaka virus was not found in the tears that flowed after 28 days of infection, the genetic material of Zika virus was found. They also extracted viral RNA from the eyes of mice infected with Zika virus for 7 days and injected them into another mouse. The results did not infect the latter. The data shows that in the early stages of infection, the eye does not produce infectious viruses.
But the researchers pointed out that although there is no live virus in the tears of mice, this does not mean that Zika will not spread through human tears. The virus in the tears may be highly contagious during a window period, and people may become infected if they are exposed to tears at this time. The study also did not find ocular symptoms after the infection of Zika virus in newborn rats, but this does not mean that Zika virus does not exist.