Enhancement of Zika virus pathogenesis by preexisting antiflavivirus immunity

TLDR

Antibodies to related flaviviruses such as dengue and West Nile can cross‑react with Zika virus and potentially worsen disease severity. The study examined whether human DENV and WNV antibodies, or yellow fever vaccination, could enhance Zika virus infection. In mice, low titers of DENV and WNV antibodies increased ZIKV viremia in the spinal cord and testes, while high titers were protective; WNV antibodies were less enhancing than DENV, and yellow fever vaccination had minimal effect in macaques. Bardina et al., Science, p.

Abstract

One antibody for all and all antibodies for one Antibodies against related flavi-viruses such as dengue (DENV) and West Nile (WNV) can cross-react with Zika virus (ZIKV) and could thereby increase disease severity. Bardina et al. tested whether DENV and WNV antibodies from humans, or even yellow fever vaccination, could enhance ZIKV infection. In a mouse model, low titers of DENV and WNV antibodies enhanced ZIKV viremia, especially in the spinal cord and testes, whereas high titers remained protective. Generally, WNV antibodies were less disease-enhancing than DENV antibodies, and, in macaques, yellow fever vaccination had very little effect. Science , this issue p. 175