Onset and Progression of Infection Based on Viral Loads in Rhesus Macaques Exposed to Zika Virus

Outbreaks of Zika virus (ZIKV) have resulted in a call by global health advocates for increased surveillance and research with aggressive measures to combat ZIKV infections. There is no licensed vaccine yet available, but number candidates are development. Advancement promising licensure may rely upon the development use well-characterized preclinical models developed based on essential elements an animal model as outlined U.S. FDA “Product Development Under Animal Rule: Guidance Industry”. Further, absence adequate clinical cases support more traditional approval pathway efficacy, regulatory could be human safety data evaluate efficacy. This report summarizes statistical analysis that characterizes progression infection Rhesus macaques (RMs) respect viral load using available twenty-six (26) RMs from three (3) studies were exposed not immunized vaccine. Progression was characterized time detection RNA serum (RT-qPCR) or positive viremia (plaque assay). Viral detected via RT-qPCR early day 1 post-infection undetectable all animals 7. Viremia also indicated plaque assay 5. following exposure, while observed animals. No significant differences loads measured either across sex, age, study. Neither sex nor age predictors exposure ZIKV. load, which studied since largely asymptomatic both humans, similar humans presentation ranging 7 days clearance 10. Overall, due consistency sexes ages similarity profile it concluded RM evaluation countermeasures.