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Open Access 01-12-2019 | Zika Virus | Research article

Scientific and technological contributions of Latin America and Caribbean countries to the Zika virus outbreak

Authors: Alice Machado-Silva, Camila Guindalini, Fernanda Lopes Fonseca, Marcus Vinicius Pereira-Silva, Bruna de Paula Fonseca

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2019

Abstract

Background

The recent Zika virus (ZIKAV) epidemics disclosed a major public health threat and a scientific and technological (S&T) challenge. The lessons learned from the S&T response of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) countries are critical to inform further research and guide scientific investments. The present study aimed to assess how new S&T knowledge produced and disseminated regionally can contribute to address global health challenges.

Methods

Scientometric and social network analysis methods were used to assess the LAC scientific contribution and potential technological development on ZIKAV up to December 2017. ZIKAV-related publications were retrieved from the Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed databases. Regionally published articles were obtained from SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online) and LILACS (Literature in the Health Sciences in Latin America and the Caribbean) databases. Patent registries were retrieved using Orbit Intelligence and Derwent Innovation. Records from each database were individually downloaded, integrated, standardized and analyzed.

Results

We retrieved 5421 ZIKAV-related publications, revealing a sharp increase from 2015 onwards. LAC countries accounted for 20% of all publications and Brazil was among the top three most central countries in the global network for ZIKAV research. A total of 274 patent families backed up by experimental evidence were retrieved. Only 5% were filed by LAC assignees, all of them based in Brazil. The largest contribution of LAC research was on the clinical manifestations of the ZIKAV infection, along with vector control, which was also the main focus of patents.

Conclusions

Our analysis offered a comprehensive overview of ZIKAV’s research and development and showed that (i) LAC countries had a key role in generating and disseminating scientific knowledge on ZIKAV; (ii) LAC countries have expressively contributed to research on ZIKAV clinical manifestations; (iii) the Brazilian scientific community was potentially very effective in knowledge sharing and diffusion in the ZIKAV research network; (iv) Brazil was the single LAC country filing patents, mostly represented by independent inventors and low-tech patents. The paper advocates the need for a continued interdisciplinary approach to improve LAC countries ability to prevent, prepare for and control future outbreaks.

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Title: Scientific and technological contributions of Latin America and Caribbean countries to the Zika virus outbreak
Authors: Alice Machado-Silva
Camila Guindalini
Fernanda Lopes Fonseca
Marcus Vinicius Pereira-Silva
Bruna de Paula Fonseca
Publication date: 01-12-2019
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Zika Virus
Published in: BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-6842-x

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Scientific and technological contributions of Latin America and Caribbean countries to the Zika virus outbreak

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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