A REVIEW ON ZIKA VIRUS ASSOCIATED MICROCEPHALY

Microcephaly is a condition where a baby's head is much smaller than expected. During pregnancy, a baby's head grows as brain is enlarging. Microcephaly can occur because a baby's brain has not developed properly during pregnancy or has stopped growing after birth, which results in a smaller head size. Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus transmitted primarily by Aedesaegypti mosquitoes. These vectors also transmit dengue and chikungunya virus and are found throughout much of the Americas, including parts of the United States. Zika virus infections have been confirmed in infants with microcephaly. In the current outbreak in Brazil, a marked increase in the number of infants born with microcephaly has been reported. Studies are under way to investigate the association of Zika virus infection and microcephaly.There are currently no drugs approved for the treatment of ZIKVinfection.Clinical trials are going on for the development of Zika vaccine. The aim of drug development is primarily to reduce viral load, reduce symptoms, and protect the unborn fetus from neurological sequelae. In order to develop effective anti-ZIKV vaccines and therapeutics, improved animal models and a better understanding of immunological correlates of protection against ZIKV are required. This review will summarize what is currently known about ZIKV, the clinical manifestations and epidemiology of Zika as well as, host immune responses against ZIKV, and the current state of development of vaccines and therapeutics against ZIKV. Key Words: zikavirus (ZIKV), microcephaly, zikavaccine, flavivirus, Aedesaegypti