Two-year Decay of Zika Virus Neutralizing Antibodies in People Living in an Endemic Region in Brazil

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2022 Jun 6;107(1):186-189. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-1279. Print 2022 Jul 13.

Abstract

It is currently not clear whether humoral immunity to Zika virus (ZIKV) elicited upon natural ZIKV infection is long-lasting. In addition, cross-reactivity of anti-ZIKV antibodies with antigenically related dengue viruses (DENV) may have biological implications in nonnaive individuals who subsequently acquire a heterotypic infection. Cross-reactive humoral immunity between ZIKV and DENV also complicates the interpretation of serological tests to evaluate previous exposure to either virus. Here, we have measured the 2-year decay of ZIKV neutralizing antibodies in people living in a ZIKV/DENV endemic area in Brazil who were identified as having an acute infection (group 1) or past (but recent) infection (group 2) with ZIKV in 2015-16. The titers of neutralizing antibodies to ZIKV decreased 9.1 and 2.3 times in groups 1 and 2, respectively. We also show that the plaque reduction neutralization assay (PRNT) is a reliable method to measure past exposure to ZIKV in coendemic areas.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Cross Reactions
  • Dengue Virus*
  • Dengue*
  • Humans
  • Zika Virus Infection*
  • Zika Virus*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral