Maternal Zika Virus (ZIKV) Infection following Vaginal Inoculation with ZIKV-Infected Semen in Timed-Pregnant Olive Baboons
Sunam Gurung, Hugh Nadeau, Marta Maxted, Jamie Peregrine, Darlene Reuter, Abby Norris, Rodney K. Edwards, Kimberly Hyatt, Krista Singleton, James F. Papin, Dean A. Myers
Abstract
Zika virus remains a worldwide health threat, with outbreaks still occurring in the Americas. While mosquitos are the primary vector for the spread of the virus, sexual transmission of Zika virus is also a significant means of infection, especially in terms of passage from an infected to an uninfected partner. While sexual transmission has been documented in humans, and male-to-female transmission has been reported in mice, ours is the first study in nonhuman primates to demonstrate infection via vaginal deposition of Zika virus-infected semen. The latter is important since a recent publication indicated that human semen inhibited, in a laboratory setting, Zika virus infection of reproductive tissues. We also found that compared to the French Polynesian isolate, the Puerto Rican Zika virus isolate led to greater spread throughout the body, particularly in reproductive tissues. The American isolates of Zika virus appear to have acquired mutations that increase their efficacy.