The Zika virus is one of a number of viruses borne by mosquitoes. Currently, it is affecting a number of territories in the Americas. Many see its threat mostly on fetuses and how it affects brain development in them. However, there seems to be a risk even for adults who have been infected with the virus.
For fetuses that have been affected by the Zika virus, brain development is affected by limiting the size of the fetus' head. This could then lead to impairment later on, according to Science News for Students. While the risks on adults are not definitively known yet, a study on lab mice shows the potential risk it poses.
In adult lab mice, those that have been infected had their stem cells limited. Though its effects aren't known yet, scientists do warn of the possible consequences it might have, particularly that of long-term consequences for adults. This has been published in the journal Cell Stem Cell last August 18.
The stem cells affected are called the neural progenitor cells. These are the earliest form of brain cells. In adults, these can be found in the anterior forebrain and the hippocampus, areas that have links to memory and cognitive functions.
Dr. Joseph Gleeson is an adjunct professor at Rockefeller University and head of the Laboratory of Pediatric Brain Diseases at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, as Newsweek reports. He is the lead author of the study. In the study, he has found out that Zika infection can cause cell death to neural stem cells. The Zika virus also stops these cells from regenerating. So far, that has been true for lab mice.
It is not yet certain if this could also be true for people infected with the virus. So far most have shown almost no symptom at all when infected. There are cases where participants of the the study experienced headaches and flu-like symptoms. The worst cases are those that are paralyzed and might require assistance to breathe through a ventilator.
The biggest concern so far is on babies since the Zika virus affects brain development and babies affected might end up with microcephaly, or unnaturally small heads in proportion to the body. The effects of microcephaly are permanent.
Further study might determine what other risks the Zika virus has on people. So far Dr. Gleeson said that tests on people aren't possible, though testing with mice would still continue.
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