Zika virus infection spread through saliva

Dear Editor,

Zika virus infection is an important problem in the present day. It is an acute hemorrhagic disease that is highly similar to dengue but it can induce neonatal problem.^1,2 Based on the publication by Siqueira et al.,³ the important question is whether the Zika virus infection can spread through saliva or not. Inddeed, the Zika virus can be seen in several body fluids including to urine but there is limited evidence on its appearance on saliva. The spreading or transmission via saliva can occur only if the virus can be secreted and exist in saliva and the virus can enter to the other one via mucous membrane or wound. Based on its similar viral infection, dengue, there has never been report on existence of dengue virus in saliva and transmission via saliva.⁴ For any new virus, another important concern is on the nanostructural size of the virus that can determine whether it can pass the physiological barrier and medical protective device to cause the infection.⁵ Focusing on the nanoanatomy, the molecular size of the Zika virus is similar to dengue virus. It is no doubt that the virus will pass ultrafiltration process and cellular membrane during the saliva generation and secretion. Hence, it is unlikely that the Zika virus can spread through saliva.

References

• ¹ Joob B, Wiwanitkit V. Zika virus infection and dengue: a new problem in diagnosis in a dengue-endemic area. Ann Trop Med Public Health. 2015;8:145-6. doi:10.4103/1755-6783.162402
  » https://doi.org/10.4103/1755-6783.162402
• ² Wiwanitkit S, Wiwanitkit V. Acute viral hemorrhage disease: a summary on new viruses. J Acute Dis. 2015;4(4):277-9. doi:10.1016/j.joad.2015.06.004
  » https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joad.2015.06.004
• ³ Siqueira WL, Moffa EB, Mussi MC, Machado MA. Zika virus infection spread through saliva - a truth or myth? Braz Oral Res. 2016;30(1):e46. doi:10.1590/1807-3107BOR-2016.vol30.0046
  » https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-3107BOR-2016.vol30.0046
• ⁴ Wiwanitkit V. Unusual mode of transmission of dengue. J Infect Dev Ctries. 2009;4(1):51-4. doi:10.3855/jidc.145
  » https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.145
• ⁵ Wiwanitkit V. N-95 face mask for prevention of bird flu virus: an appraisal of nanostructure and implication for infectious control. Lung. 2006;184(6):373-4. doi:10.1007/s00408-006-0021-4
  » https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-006-0021-4

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  2016

History

• Received
  17 Mar 2016
• Accepted
  05 Apr 2016
• Reviewed
  02 May 2016