Zika Genome Sequences Set for Diagnostic, Vaccine Development Purposes

摘要

Zika virus strains fall into two major genetic lineages-one African, the other Asian-based on recent genome sequencing analysis, according to Young-Min Lee of Utah State University, Logan, and his collaborators. "Studies are currently underway at Utah State University to examine the functional importance of the genetic variation on viral replication and pathogenesis," he says. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated another Zika isolate as a reference strain for use in diagnosis. Its sequence was determined by Sally Baylis of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut in Langen, Germany, and her collaborators. Details appeared online in Genome Announcements, August 18 and September 1, 2016, respectively (doi:10.1128/genomeA.00917–16, and doi:10.1128/genomeA.00800–16).