Malnutrition and Zika Complications

A new study found that Congenital Zika Syndrome, a collection of malformations in an infant whose mother had Zika virus, is associated with malnutrition in the mother. Researchers noticed that in Brazil the worst cases (infants with highest levels of developmental impairment) were among lower socioeconomic statuses. 

While the link between Zika and Congenital Zika Syndrome has been well established, the recent study done in mice identifies co-actors such as diets poor in protein. When physiological conditions of low protein diet were applied to the mice, the mice fetuses had issues such as poor embryonic body growth and reduced brain size in newborns. Cellular mechanisms include malnourished mothers being less able to fight Zika infection and robust, persistent infection of the virus in the spleens of the mothers compared to well-nourished. The study concludes that improving diet may not reduce the incidence of Zika but it may have an impact on the severity of the disease. 

Micah

Sources:

https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/malnutrition-may-increase-risk-of-zika-birth-defects-793534.html

https://www.orissapost.com/poor-diet-malnutrition-linked-to-zika-birth-defects/