A new research have found treatment for Zika virus (ZIKV). A group of researchers from Indian institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, have identified a drug that can be used to treat disease caused by Zika virus.
Dr Rajnish Giri, assistant professor, department of Biotechnology, IIT Mandi and his team of researchers jointly worked with Indira Mysorekar from Washington University at St Louis, USA on this study.
The carrier of ZIKV is a mosquito, commonly known as Aedes aegypti. The virus causes harm to all the ages but it can cause serious effects on pregnant women. During pregnancy ZIKV can cause infants to be born with microcephaly (smaller than normal head size) and other congenital malformations, known as congenital Zika syndrome. Infection with Zika virus can also cause other complications of pregnancy including preterm birth and miscarriage.
The already existing antimalarial drug Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) along with the newly identified drug can be used to treat Zika virus and prevent the formation of NS2B-NS3 protease (a type of protein required for the replication of ZIKV genome).
This research has given a new dimensions for the treatment of Zika which may be very much helpful for preventing deaths caused by this disease.
Reference:
Hydroxychloroquine Inhibits Zika Virus NS2B-NS3 Protease
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.8b01002
ACS Omega 2018, 3, 18132−18141
Article by Anu
Edited by Moumita Mazumdar
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