A. Mejia

Theft of Host Transferrin Receptor-1 by Toxoplasma gondii is required for infection

This study shows Toxoplasma gondii steals host transferrin receptor 1 and transferrin to enhance growth, but not iron levels.

Frequent first-trimester pregnancy loss in rhesus macaques infected with African-lineage Zika virus

This study shows that African-lineage ZIKV infection in early first trimester causes high pregnancy loss in rhesus macaques, regardless of SIV status.

Infection of the maternal-fetal interface and vertical transmission following low-dose inoculation of pregnant rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) with an African-lineage Zika virus

This study shows African-lineage Zika virus can be vertically transmitted to rhesus macaque fetuses with a low dose, similar to Asian-lineage viruses.

Fetal loss in pregnant rhesus macaques infected with high-dose African-lineage Zika virus

This study shows that high-dose African-lineage Zika virus infection in late first trimester pregnant rhesus macaques causes frequent fetal loss.

Prior dengue immunity enhances Zika virus infection of the maternal-fetal interface in rhesus macaques

This study shows that prior dengue virus immunity enhances Zika virus infection at the maternal-fetal interface in rhesus macaques but does not affect plasma replication or fetal outcomes.

African-lineage Zika virus replication dynamics and maternal-fetal interface infection in pregnant rhesus macaques

This study infects pregnant rhesus macaques with African- and Asian-lineage Zika virus to compare their pathogenesis, finding similar replication kinetics but higher viral burden in maternal-fetal interface tissues with African-lineage isolates.

Discovery of a novel simian pegivirus in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) with lymphocytic enterocolitis

The paper discovers a novel simian pegivirus, SOBV, in common marmosets with lymphocytic enterocolitis, finds it prevalent in 34% of healthy marmosets, and notes its presence in clinically-normal marmosets at another center.

Quantitative definition of neurobehavior, vision, hearing and brain volumes in macaques congenitally exposed to Zika virus

The paper assesses the feasibility of using a macaque model to study neurodevelopmental deficits from congenital Zika virus exposure and estimates required sample sizes for future studies.

Impact of Ferumoxytol Magnetic Resonance Imaging on the Rhesus Macaque Maternal-Fetal Interface

Ferumoxytol-enhanced MRI does not affect histopathology or iron levels in the maternal-fetal interface of rhesus macaques during pregnancy or up to one year post-delivery.

Zika viruses of both African and Asian lineages cause fetal harm in a vertical transmission model

This study shows African ZIKV can cause fetal harm in a mouse model, challenging the idea that specific mutations are required for congenital Zika syndrome.

Molecularly barcoded Zika virus libraries to probe in vivo evolutionary dynamics

This paper uses molecularly barcoded Zika virus to study in vivo infection dynamics in pregnant and non-pregnant macaques and mosquitoes, finding stable lineage proportions during acute infection but a rapid decline in complexity post-infection in pregnant animals.

Ocular and uteroplacental pathology in macaque congenital Zika virus infection

This study reports ocular and uteroplacental pathology in rhesus macaques infected with ZIKV during pregnancy, showing prolonged viral replication and severe fetal outcomes.