Argentine scientists and scientists discovered in in vitro tests that low pH levels (a measure of acids) in the vagina increase the risk of Zika virus transmission during intercourse, a disease that is spread mainly by the Aedes aegypti mosquito bite but also sexually.
In the in vitro study published in “Emerging Microbes and Infections”, the researchers reported that low extracellular pH values dramatically increase Zika virus infection in cell lines of different origin, including some derived from the female genital tract, the CyTA-Leloir Agency described.
They also observed that low pH significantly increased Zika infection in ex vivo cultured cervical tissues.
“In principle our work is merely basic research and our results suggest that pH values similar to those found in the vaginal mucosa after sexual intercourse enhance the binding of the virus to cells and could therefore favor the sexual transmission of infection by Zika, “said the Doctor in Biology Ana Ceballos, leader of the study and researcher at the Institute for Biomedical Research in Retroviruses and AIDS (INBIRS), which depends on the UBA and Conicet.
The scientist added that “It is still necessary to continue studying the generation of vaginal gels or microbicides that regulate the pH to prevent or make less efficient the transmission “of the Zika virus, reported the CyTA Agency.
Analysis of the mechanisms involved revealed that intensification of Zika infection induced by low pH was associated with increased binding of viral particles to cell surfaces. “We observed that the binding of the virus to the cell surface is mediated by a long chain of sugars known as heparan sulfate,” explained Ceballos.
In this regard, he continued: “Acidosis represents a critical, but generally overlooked, feature of the female genital tract, with important implications for sexually transmitted diseases. Our results suggest that a low vaginal pH could promote male-to-female transmission of ZIKV infection. “
Zika is a disease whose symptoms generally appear after an incubation period of 3 to 12 days.
It can manifest itself moderately or acutely as being fever, non-purulent conjunctivitis, headache, body ache, joint pain (mainly hands and feet), weakness, rash and inflammation of the lower limbs. In addition, “this disease can cause neurological problems”, completes the Ministry of Health of the Nation.
That official source also emphasizes that “Pregnant people, of reproductive age or sexually active, should take extreme measures to prevent mosquito bites and use condoms appropriately, due to the risk of fetal malformations, such as microcephaly, which is registered by Zika virus infection “.
The Integrated Surveillance Bulletin N572 SE (epidemiological week) October 42/2021 reports the result of the integrated surveillance of arboviruses in the country, which includes the study of dengue, zika, chikungunya, yellow fever, San Luis encephalitis and fever West Nile.
“Throughout the year 2021, 3,962 confirmed cases of dengue were registered. The last ones occurred in EW 25/2021 (from June 20 to 26), in Jujuy, La Rioja and Salta. Since then, no new ones have been registered. confirmed cases, so there is no evidence of current viral circulation of dengue or other arboviruses“, which includes Zika.
From the ministry they place special emphasis on prevention, since there is no vaccine or treatment for Zika virus fever. Treatment is symptomatic and patients are recommended to drink plenty of water to replace fluids. Prevention, as with dengue fever, consists of the elimination and control of the breeding sites of the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Among other actions, it is recommended to avoid the collection of water in open air containers (flowerpots, bottles or others), to cover the water tanks and reservoirs to keep mosquitoes away; avoid accumulating garbage, throw garbage in closed plastic bags.
The Ministry of Health emphasizes that “a condom must be used in all sexual relations, since Zika is also transmitted sexually”
Augusto Varese (first author), Ezequiel Dantas, Ana Luz Paletta, Facundo Di Diego García, Gonzalo Cabrerizo, Fernando Erra Díaz, Jorge Geffner and Federico Remes Lenicov, from INBIRS; Lucas Defelipe and Martín Dodes Traian, from the Institute of Biological Chemistry of the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences (IQUIBICEN), which depends on the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences of the UBA.
In addition, their contributions were made by Andrea Gamarnik and Horacio Martín Pallares, from Conicet and the Leloir Institute; and Wendy Fitzgerald and Leonid Margolis of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, which reports to the US National Institutes of Health.
