The 2015-16 Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic in the Americas with its rapid transmission and unforeseen association with microcephaly illustrated the ominous public health threat of emerging and re-emerging viruses. The Kanki lab has documented the presence of ZIKV infection in Senegalese and Nigerian fever patients over multiple decades, demonstrating the endemicity of this unique arbovirus in West Africa. The lab’s research studies have described the longevity, specificity, and cross reactivity of T cell responses to ZIKV and dengue virus (DENV).
ZIKV, DENV, and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) are arboviruses known to co-circulate in many regions of the world where the mosquito vector, Aedes sp. is widespread. Studies have described the impact of ZIKV, DENV, and CHIKV infection during pregnancy, which can increase the risk of severe disease in women as well as fetal loss, prematurity, microcephaly and other birth defects, and severe neonatal infection. However, our understanding of these viral infections during pregnancy has been based on studies of Asian or American strains in those regions, while the transmission of and immune responses elicited by African strains of ZIKV, DENV, and CHIKV and their relationship to pregnancy complications and birth outcomes in Africa remain poorly understood. The Kanki lab is conducting additional studies with other endemic flaviviruses associated with abnormal birth outcomes in Jos, Nigeria.