My power word in the news this week is metagenomics. The article I found is titled “Detection and sequencing of Zika virus from amniotic fluid of fetuses with microcephaly in Brazil: a case study.” This study used viral metagenomics next-generation sequencing as well as reverse transcription PCR to determine whether the Zika virus is present in amniotic fluid samples. They found two pregnant women whose fetuses has been diagnosed with microcephaly, these women also had shown symptoms of the virus while pregnant. The researchers tested the sample for many different strains of Zika as well as flaviviruses, dengue virus, chikungunya virus, Toxoplasma gondii, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, HIV, Treponema pallidum, and parvovirus B19. With the testing they found that the virus most closely matched an outbreak of Zika in French Polynesia in 2013. They also determined that the virus can cross the placental barrier which makes it a potential infectious agent for human fetuses. This study strengthened the association between Zika virus and microcephaly in neonates as well.

         This was a scientific report done in collaboration with 18 scientists. Not only were the collaborators credible, the paper also cited many references of reliable sources. Overall, this case study published in a scientific journal was highly valid. The summary of the report was very easy to understand for someone without expertise in the subject. However, the full text provided more details on the scientific side of the story enabling people of all comprehension to read the article and gain some knowledge from it. The paper included several helpful heading and provided substantial background to help fully understand the story. Overall, it was a well written article that appears highly reliable.

  http://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(16)00095-5/fulltext