Like Zika, Oropouche virus can also affect the brains of unborn babies
Discovered in 1955, the Oropouche virus has circulated mainly in the Amazon, causing a febrile illness virtually indistinguishable from those caused by dengue, Zika and chikungunya, viruses also transmitted by biting mosquitoes.
The Oropouche virus, discovered in 1955, has long been underdiagnosed due to its similarity to other febrile illnesses such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. Primarily transmitted by the midge Culicoides paraensis, the virus has recently shown a significant expansion in its circulation across all five regions of Brazil, leading to cases of death, miscarriages, fetal deaths, and newborns with microcephaly and other congenital malformations.
Researchers are using brain organoids, or mini-brains, to study the virus's effects on fetal brain cells. These organoids, produced from human stem cells, replicate the early stages of brain development and allow for real-time monitoring of viral impacts. Initial studies showed that both historical and recent strains of the virus can easily infect human neural stem cells, causing a reduction in the proliferation of these cells and impairing the overall brain development.
Infected brain organoids demonstrated slower growth, irregular edges, and structural organization loss, particularly in the ventricular zones where new neurons are formed. The virus also affected mature neurons and astrocytes, suggesting a broader range of infection than previously thought.
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