Enhancement of Zika virus pathogenesis by preexisting antiflavivirus immunity

Zika virus (ZIKV) is spreading rapidly into regions around the world where other flaviviruses, such as dengue virus (DENV) and West Nile virus (WNV), are endemic. Antibody-dependent enhancement has been implicated in more severe forms of flavivirus disease, but whether this also applies to ZIKV infection is unclear. Using convalescent plasma from DENV- and WNV-infected individuals, we found substantial enhancement of ZIKV infection in vitro that was mediated through immunoglobulin G engagement of Fcγ receptors. Administration of DENV- or WNV-convalescent plasma into ZIKV-susceptible mice resulted in increased morbidity-including fever, viremia, and viral loads in spinal cord and testes-and increased mortality.…

• NI
  National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

  Awards: R21AI130299, award303923, U19AI118610, award303924