C. M. Crooks

The pentameric complex is not required for vertical transmission of cytomegalovirus in seronegative pregnant rhesus macaques

The study shows that deleting the pentameric complex in rhesus CMV does not affect congenital transmission in seronegative pregnant rhesus macaques.

Primary infection with Zika virus provides one-way heterologous protection against Spondweni virus infection in rhesus macaques

This study shows that ZIKV infection protects against SPONV in rhesus macaques, but not vice versa, suggesting one-way cross-protection between the viruses.

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.

Avian H7N9 influenza viruses are evolutionarily constrained by stochastic processes during replication and transmission in mammals

This study shows that H7N9 avian influenza viruses face strong evolutionary constraints during mammalian transmission, making human adaptation unlikely without rare, stochastic events.

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.

Rapid evolution of enhanced Zika virus virulence during direct vertebrate transmission chains

This study shows ZIKV adapts more rapidly to mice during direct transmission compared to mosquito or alternating host transmission, with a virulence-enhancing mutation emerging.