New Study Strengthens Link Between Zika Virus And Microcephaly In Babies

Experts believe that Zika virus and microcephaly are linked. Since the start of the Zika virus outbreak in Latin America, the cases of microcephaly have increased dramatically. However, no definitive proof has been found on how Zika virus and microcephaly are linked together.

A new study conducted by researchers from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Florida State University and Emory University shows how Zika virus might be causing the development of microcephaly in babies, Medical Daily reports. The research finds that the virus infects cells in the brain's cortex which prevents the proper division and growth of new brain cells.

"For their experiments, the researchers grew cortical neural progenitor cells - stem cells involved in the development of the brain's cortex - in the lab, along with induced pluripotent stem cells (capable of growing into any type of cell in the body, including cortex stem cells) and immature neurons." Medical Daily explains. The researchers then exposed the three types of brain cells to the Zika virus and analyzed the result.

They found out that 90 percent of the cells got infected within three days of getting exposed to the Zika virus. The team also observed that the virus attacked these brain cells and used them to increase the number of the virus.

The researchers hope that the findings of their research can help scientists develop treatment for the disease. However, these findings do not show definitive proof about the connection between Zika virus and microcephaly. "We don't have the direct evidence to show that this will link the Zika virus to microcephaly," John Hopkins University researcher Dr. Zhexing Wen told The Guardian.

Several health agencies have issued warnings for pregnant women not to go to certain areas and countries because of the threat of the mosquito-borne Zika virus and microcephaly. According to CDC, microcephaly is a birth defect where a baby's head is smaller than the normal size accompanied by other brain abnormalities.