Neutralizing activity of African lineage Zika virus immune sera towards Asian lineage

• Published in: Acta tropica Vol. 237; p. 106736
• Main Authors: Marchi, Serena, Dragoni, Filippo, Boccuto, Adele, Idoko, Olubukola T., Zazzi, Maurizio, Sow, Samba, Diallo, Aldiouma, Viviani, Simonetta, Montomoli, Emanuele, Vicenti, Ilaria, Trombetta, Claudia Maria
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.01.2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: African lineage; Asian lineage; Bacteriology; Cardiology and cardiovascular system; Cross-neutralization; Emerging diseases; Human health and pathology; Immunity; Infectious diseases; Life Sciences; Microbiology and Parasitology; Parasitology; Virology; Zika strains; Zika virus; African lineage; Zika strains; Zika virus; Asian lineage; Cross-neutralization; Immunity
• ISSN: 0001-706X; 1873-6254; 1873-6254
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106736

Genetic and phylogenetic studies indicated that Zika virus (ZIKV) has evolved into 2 major lineages, the African and Asian. However, ZIKV has been described as a single serotype. This study aimed at assessing the cross-neutralization between ZIKV African and Asian lineages strains. Sixthy-five samples collected in 2007 and 30 samples collected from the same subjects in 2011/2012 in West Africa and positive to neutralizing antibody against ZIKV MR-766 strain (African lineage) were tested against ZIKV H/PF/2013 strain (Asian lineage) by microneutralization assay. All samples showing neutralizing antibodies against MR-766 strain showed also neutralizing activity against H/PF/2013 strain, although with lower titers. This is consistent with about 120 amino acid differences between the two strains. Despite differences in the magnitude of neutralizing activity against different ZIKV strains, all samples showed neutralizing antibody titers considered to be protective.