Genetic and Serologic Properties of Zika Virus Associated with an Epidemic, Yap State, Micronesia, 2007
2008

Zika Virus in Yap State, Micronesia, 2007

Sample size: 157 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Lanciotti Robert S., Kosoy Olga L., Laven Janeen J., Velez Jason O., Lambert Amy J., Johnson Alison J., Stanfield Stephanie M., Duffy Mark R.

Primary Institution: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Hypothesis

What are the genetic and serologic properties of the Zika virus associated with the 2007 epidemic in Yap State, Micronesia?

Conclusion

The study identified the genetic and serologic properties of the Zika virus responsible for the 2007 epidemic in Yap State.

Supporting Evidence

  • Zika virus was confirmed as the causative agent of the epidemic through serologic testing.
  • Real-time RT-PCR detected Zika virus RNA in 17 out of 157 patient samples.
  • Phylogenetic analysis placed the Zika virus from the epidemic in a unique clade among flaviviruses.

Takeaway

Scientists studied the Zika virus from sick people in Micronesia and found out how it works and how it spreads.

Methodology

The study involved serologic testing and real-time RT-PCR on patient samples to analyze the Zika virus.

Potential Biases

Potential misdiagnosis of Zika virus infections as dengue due to serologic cross-reactivity.

Limitations

Limited specimen volume restricted the ability to generate a complete coding region sequence from individual patients.

Participant Demographics

Patients were from Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia, during the 2007 epidemic.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3201/eid1408.080287

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