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Microscopic distinctions may explain why dengue fever sometimes develops into a hemorrhagic fever, while Zika manifests as congenital malformations, for example, said Michael G. Rossmann, a microbiologist at Purdue University and L & # 39; one of the authors of the study.
"At a lower resolution, many of these viruses look like corresponding spherical bullets," said Madhumati Sevvana, lead author of the study. "Once you zoom in, you start to see the differences in their landscapes."
The Zika virus is a solid candidate for high resolution imaging because, compared to other flaviviruses, it is heat resistant and remains active under various conditions. This resilience can be detrimental to a feverish patient, but in an imaging lab, it is essential.
"When a virus is not stable, it often falls on you, and you chase bits instead of everything," said Dr. Rossmann. "Zika has allowed a seamless sample of a flavivirus – and when we understand a little better, we understand them all a little better."
The results of the study will likely have no immediate impact on disease prevention, according to Kristian G. Andersen, a genomics researcher at Scripps Research Institute. At present, many promising candidates for the Zika vaccine can not be fully tested in humans because of a decline in infections. Bioethicists are in conflict over whether to allow testing in healthy people.
The development of antiviral drugs to treat patients is still only in its infancy.
"Zika has only been under the microscope in recent years," said Duane J. Gubler, Professor Emeritus of Infectious Disease at the Duke-NUS School of Medicine in Singapore. "Yes, it is critical information on the structure that will be needed for therapeutic treatments, but I would add: Do not hold your breath."
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