(172b) Single-Cycle Growth Kinetics of Infection By Zika Virus

The Zika virus (ZIKV) has become a public health concern because of its correlation between ZIKV infection and neural disorders in both fetuses and adults. In this study, we analyzed experimental ZIKV infection of cell cultures to characterize virus-cell adsorption, intracellular reproduction and particle degradation. Virus adsorption was tested at different multiplicity of infection (MOI), the ratio of added virus particles to cell numbers. Actual efficiencies of adsorption were lower than anticipated, owing in part to degradation of free virus particles and mass transfer limitations of virus particle transport to susceptible cells. The length of the latent period of ZIKV single-cycle growth, reflecting the duration of intracellular biosynthesis and particle assembly, depended on the MOI, and the average burst size or number of virus particles released per cell was approximately 300. These results provide the basic parameters of ZIKV infection single-cycle kinetics which will inform future models of multi-cycle infection spread. Further, the low efficiency of ZIKV absorption and high degradation rate will be important factors to consider as we develop quantitative and integrative approaches to better understand how ZIKV grows, spreads and ultimately contributes to the development of disease.