Zika virus infection reduces hemocyte numbers and induces hemocyte aggregation in adult Drosophila melanogaster.

Despite recent advances in the prevalence of Zika virus (ZIKV), our understanding of the host cellular components of the innate immune system that suppress ZIKV infection remains incomplete. Here, we have examined the impact of ZIKV on the hemocytes of Drosophila melanogaster . We describe for the first time that the introduction of ZIKV particles into the hemolymph of wild-type adult flies leads to two substantial effects: decrease in hemocyte numbers and increase in hemocyte aggregation. This is significant information which suggests the functional immune role of hemocytes in the host response to ZIKV and probably other flaviviruses.