Objective: To describe frequency and clinical characteristics of MAYV infection in Piura, as well as the association of this pathogen with DENV. Results: A total of 86/496 (17.3%) cases of MAYV were detected, of which 54 were MAYV mono-infection and 32 were co-infection with DENV, accounting for 10.9% and 6.4%, respectively. When evaluating monoinfection by MAYV the main groups were 18–39 and 40–59 years old, with 25.9% and 20.4% respectively. Co-infections were more common in the age group 18–39 and those > 60 years old, with 34.4% and 21.9%, respectively. The most frequent clinical presentation were headaches (94.4%, 51/54) followed by arthralgias (77.8%, 42/54). During the 8-month study period the most cases were identified in the months of May (29.1%) and June (50.0%). / National Research Foundation of Korea / Revisión por pares

Background: The infection caused by Mayaro virus (MAYV), which presents as an acute febrile illness, is considered a neglected tropical disease. The virus is an endemic and emerging pathogen in South America and the Caribbean, responsible for occasional and poorly characterized outbreaks. Currently there is limited information about its expansion and risk areas. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in 10 urban primary care health centers in the Cajamarca region of Peru from January to June 2017. A total of 359 patients with suspected febrile illness were assessed. RNA was extracted from serum samples, following which MAYV real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) for the detection of the nsP1 gene was performed. Results: MAYV was detected in 11.1% (40/359) of samples after RT-PCR amplification and confirmatory DNA sequencing. Most infections were detected in the adult population aged 18–39 years (40%) and 40–59 years (32.5%). Headache was the most frequent symptom in patients with MAYV infection (77.5%), followed by fever (72.5%), myalgia (55.0%), and arthralgia (50.0%). During the study, most of the MAYV cases were seen in May (47.5%) and April (35.0%), corresponding to the dry season (months without rain). Conclusions: This study is novel in describing the presence of MAYV in Cajamarca, an Andean region of Peru. Symptoms are non-specific and can be confused with those of other arbovirus or bacterial infections. Molecular biology methods such as RT-PCR allow the timely and accurate detection of MAYV and could thus be considered as a tool for surveillance in endemic areas. / This research was supported by the Bio & Medical Technology Development Program of the National Research Foundation (NRF) funded by the Korean government (MSIT) (No. 2015M3A9B6073666 ). This study was supported by CONCYTEC Peru , under the contract No 164-2016-FONDECYT, Lima, Peru. Incentive for Research of the Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (No. UPC-C-01-2019), Lima, Peru. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. / Revisión por pares

O vírus Mayaro (MAYV) é um Alphavirus artritogênico responsável por causar uma doença febril aguda com sintomas parecidos aos de Dengue não-hemorrágica, porém com o agravante, como a febre Chikungunya, de ocorrência de artralgia. Os dados epidemiológicos disponíveis ainda são poucos devido à falta de diagnóstico adequado, pois algumas das técnicas desenvolvidas apresentam dificuldades quanto à coleta de amostra, devido à curta viremia, e ao background que interfere na interpretação dos resultados, subestimando o real número dos casos de infecção. Isso é preocupante principalmente em tempos de co-circulação de outras arboviroses como Dengue, Zika e Chikungunya. Neste trabalho desenvolvemos um método de imunofluorescência indireta dirigido à detecção de anticorpos contra a glicoproteína E2 do vírus Mayaro expressa em células S2 de Drosophila melanogaster. / Mayaro virus (MAYV) is an arthritogenic Alphavirus responsible for causing an acute febrile illness with symptoms similar to non-hemorrhagic Dengue, but with the aggravation, as Chikungunya fever, to develop arthralgia. The epidemiological data available still are few due to lack of proper diagnosis, because some of the techniques developed present difficulties regarding sample collection, due to the short viremia, and background that interferes with the interpretation of the results, underestimating the actual number of cases. This is a concern especially in periods of co-circulation of many other socioeconomic impact arboviruses, such as Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya. In this work we developed an indirect immunofluorescence method to the detection of antibodies against Mayaro E2 glycoprotein expressed in Drosophila melanogaster S2 cells.

Recentemente, vários arbovírus têm acometido a população de países emergentes ocasionando sérios problemas de saúde pública, como as doenças causadas pelos vírus da dengue, Chikungunya, Zika e febre amarela. Um vírus emergente e já circulante no Brasil, chamado Mayaro (MAYV), do mesmo gênero do Chikungunya (Alphavirus), possui potencial prejudicial semelhante a esses já estabelecidos. Seu vetor de transmissão é o mosquito do gênero Haemagogus, característico de regiões isoladas, principalmente florestas. Entretanto, estudos demonstraram que o Aedes aegypti é um competente vetor desse agente, o que possibilita sua disseminação em regiões urbanas. O presente trabalho avaliou a expressão das proteínas estruturais do vírus Mayaro (E1, E2, E3, C e 6K), utilizando dois sistemas de expressão distintos, um baseado na levedura Pichia pastoris, e outro derivado de Baculovírus (BEVS). Essa estratégia foi estabelecida para que a expressão dessas proteínas promova a formação de partículas semelhantes ao vírus (virus like particles), estruturas multiprotéicas que mimetizam a conformação de uma partícula viral podendo ser utilizada como um candidato vacinal. O trabalho evidenciou a correta obtenção de organismos recombinantes em ambos os sistemas, com a avaliação da expressão sendo feita com técnicas de dot blot, western blot e imunofluorescência indireta (IFI). Com o sistema baculovírus, foram avaliadas as linhagens Sf-9 e Hi-5, sendo evidenciada a expressão de proteínas do MAYV em ambas, utilizando MOI 10 e tempos pós-infecção de 96 e 72 h, respectivamente. A correta expressão das proteínas de MAYV também foi evidenciada com a levedura Pichia pastoris, com cultivo a 30 °C e tempo de análise 48 h após indução. A geração de VLPs foi avaliada em amostras de sobrenadantes de ambos os sistemasapós a concentração por ultracentrifugação em gradiente de iodixanol, e análise por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão, sendo observadas nos dois sistemas com tamanhos variando entre 30-60 nm. Os resultados desse projeto podem gerar ferramentas importantes no desenvolvimento de kits diagnósticos e métodos vacinais contra o MAYV. / Recently, several arboviruses have affected emerging countries causing serious public health problems, such as diseases caused by dengue viruses, Chikungunya, Zika and yellow fever. An emerging and already circulating virus in Brazil, called Mayaro (MAYV), of the same genus of Chikungunya (Alphavirus), has harmful potential similar to those already established. Its transmission vector is the mosquito of the genus Haemagogus, characteristic of isolated regions, mainly forests. However, studies have demonstrated that Aedes aegypti is a competent vector of this agent, which would allow its dissemination in urban areas. The present work evaluated the expression of the structural proteins of the Mayaro virus (E1, E2, E3, C and 6K) using two distinct expression systems, one based on the yeast Pichia pastoris and another derived from Baculovirus (BEVS). The strategy of expressing structural proteins has been established so that the expression of these proteins promotes the formation of viruslike particles or VLPs, multiprotein structures that mimic the conformation of a viral particle and can be used as a vaccine candidate. The work evidenced the correct obtaining of recombinant organisms in both systems, with the evaluation of the expression being done with dot blot, western blot and indirect immunofluorescence (IFI) techniques. With the baculovirus system, the Sf-9 and Hi-5 strains were evaluated, and the expression of the MAYV proteins was evidenced in both, using MOI 10 and the time of post-infection analysis of 96 and 72 h, respectively. Correct expression of MAYV proteins was also evidenced with yeast Pichia pastoris, with culture at 30 ° C and analysis time 48 h after induction. The generation of VLPs was evaluated in both supernatants after concentration by iodixanol gradient ultracentrifugation and transmission electron microscopy analysis, being observed in both systems with sizes ranging from 30-60 nm. The results of this project can generate important tools in the development of diagnostic kits and vaccine methods against the MAYV.

Alphaviruses are a group of medically relevant arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) belonging to the Togaviridae family that are maintained by mosquito vectors. These zoonotic viruses are clustered into two groups: New World and Old World, depending on their geographical origin/distribution and clinical manifestations. Both of these groups cause disease symptoms of an acute febrile illness; however, each group has a distinct, hallmark disease symptom; New World alphaviruses, such as Eastern, Western, and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses (EEEV, WEEV, and VEEV, respectively), present with severe encephalitis while Old World alphaviruses, such as Sindbis, chikungunya, and Mayaro viruses (SINV, CHIKV, and MAYV, respectively) present with an incapacitating polyarthralgia that can persist for years following initial infection. To date, the most effective means of controlling these arboviral infections is through mosquito control programs. However, these programs have crucial limitations in their effectiveness; therefore, novel approaches are necessary to control the spread of these crippling pathogens and lessen their disease burden. Given the close phylogenetic and antigenic relationship between MAYV and CHIKV, we hypothesized that prior CHIKV immunity may affect the outcome of MAYV disease and/or limit its emergence in humans. Our work has shown that anti-CHIKV neutralizing antibodies can provide cross-protective immunity against MAYV disease. Alongside these studies, we have characterized the potency of a camelid-derived single-domain antibody (sdAb) that neutralizes a breadth of alphaviruses, including CHIKV and MAYV. With these data, we have designed and generated transgenic Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that express two anti-CHIKV sdAbs to target infection, dissemination, and transmission of MAYV and CHIKV within this deadly vector. These findings are particularly significant because they highlight the ability to co-target two emerging alphaviruses that are crippling public health and obliterating quality of life around the globe within a single defense strategy. / Doctor of Philosophy / Alphaviruses are arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) belonging to the Togaviridae family that infect millions of people annually via the bite of female mosquitoes. These viruses are major public health threats due to their ability to infect humans and animals and infections resulting in a range of debilitating diseases. Viruses within this genus are clustered into two groups: Old World and New World, based on geographical origin and distribution. While New World alphaviruses are known for inducing severe encephalitis (i.e., swelling in the brain), a hallmark symptom of the Old World alphaviruses is the development of incapacitating polyarthralgia (i.e., widespread joint pain) that can persist for years following initial infection. To date, the most effective means of combatting these viruses is through mosquito control programs. However, these programs have crucial limitations in their effectiveness; therefore, novel approaches are necessary to control the spread of these crippling pathogens. Given the close genetic relationship between chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and Mayaro virus (MAYV), our research has focused on harnessing cross-reactive immunity between these emerging alphaviruses. We discovered this cross-reactivity provides protective immunity to both viruses (i.e., CHIKV and MAYV) after exposure to only one (i.e., CHIKV) of the viruses. Next, we characterized the potency of a small, single-domain antibody (sdAb) to neutralize a breadth of alphaviruses, including CHIKV and MAYV. With these data, we have designed and generated transgenic Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that express this sdAb to target both CHIKV and MAYV within this deadly mosquito vector. These findings are particularly significant because they provide the foundation for a novel approach to controlling and preventing outbreaks of these emerging alphavirus pathogens that obliterate quality of life in public health settings around the globe.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-22T22:06:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Final Gustavo Henrique.pdf: 11557113 bytes, checksum: 738eeceeb5f826798bc9ce2b09633f72 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-03-06 / FAPEAM - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Amazonas / Arbovirosis are currently recognized by the World Health Organization as a global problem. Most arbovirosis are summarized in diseases with acute and nonspecific symptoms such as fever, headache and muscle pain. Although self limited, these symptoms create relevant social and economic impacts. In Brazil, the arbovirosis caused by viruses belonging to the genus Alphavirus, Flavivirus and Orthobunyavirus and are the main cause of outbreaks or epidemics. This study aimed to study the circulation of arbovirus mayaro, venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, yellow fever virus, Saint Louis encephalitis virus and oropouche virus in a rural and an urban area of the State of Amazonas, Brazil. Therefore, the serology for detection of immunoglobulin G was used to assess the prevalence of antibodies against these viruses in 335 residents of a rural community in the state of Amazonas and PCR was used to assess the incidence of these viruses in 250 samples collected in urban area of Manaus. The results for serology suggest the movement of mayaro virus in the rural community. The seroprevalence detected in the samples was 41.5%. There was no significant relationship to risk for mayaro infection between genders (p value = 0.7760) or between age groups (p value = 0.9422). The positive serology detected among 39 children younger than 10 years indicates a recent infection. The factors of protection against mayaro infection detected were the use of mosquito net (p value = 0.0119) and the presence of animals in surrounding (p value = 0.0407). The risk factors identified for mayaro infection were the location of residence in towns near the forest (p value <0.0001) and presence of toilet in or near the home (p value = 0.0415). The serological results suggest that infection with mayaro occurred less than 10 years in the vicinity of residences analyzed. Molecular analysis of the samples collected in the urban area of Manaus not detected genomic fragments of arboviruses. Factors such as low viremia at the time of blood collection and storage of serum samples may have contributed to the non-detection of genomic fragments. However, the protocol for the detection of genomic fragments of arboviruses based on the PCR technique is already used in research centers and surveillance of Fundação de Medicina Tropical do Amazonas FMTAM and Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane ILMD/FIOCRUZ. / As arboviroses são atualmente reconhecidas pela Organização Mundial da Saúde como um problema global. A maioria das arboviroses resume-se em afecções com sintomatologias agudas e inespecíficas, como febre, dores de cabeça e dores musculares. Embora sejam auto limitados, tais sintomas geram impactos sociais e econômicos relevantes. No Brasil, as arboviroses provocadas pelos por vírus pertencentes aos gêneros Alphavirus, Orthobunyavirus e Flavivirus são as principais causadoras de surtos ou epidemias. O presente estudo teve como objetivo estudar a circulação dos arbovírus mayaro, vírus da encefalite eqüina venezuelana, vírus da febre amarela, vírus da encefalite de Saint Louis e vírus oropouche em uma área rural e uma área urbana do Estado do Amazonas, Brasil. Assim sendo, a sorologia para detecção de imunoglobulinas G foi utilizada para avaliar a prevalência de anticorpos contra tais vírus em 335 moradores de uma comunidade rural do Estado do Amazonas e a PCR foi utilizada para avaliar a incidência de tais vírus em 250 amostras coletadas na área urbana de Manaus. Os resultados encontrados para a sorologia sugerem a circulação do vírus mayaro na comunidade rural. A soroprevalência detectada nas amostras foi de 41,5%. Não houve relação estatisticamente significativa de risco para a infecção por mayaro entre os gêneros (p valor=0,7760) ou entre as faixas etárias (p valor=0,9422). A sorologia positiva detectada entre 39 crianças menores de 10 anos indica uma infecção recente. Os fatores de proteção contra a infecção por mayaro detectados foram o uso de mosquiteiro (p valor=0,0119) e a presença de animais no peridomicílio (p valor=0,0407). Os fatores de risco detectados para a infecção por mayaro foram a localização do domicílio em vilas próximas à floresta (p valor<0,0001) e a presença de toalete dentro ou próximo ao domicílio (p valor=0,0415). Os resultados sorológicos sugerem que a infecção por mayaro ocorreu há menos de 10 anos nas proximidades das residências analisadas. A análise molecular das amostras coletadas na zona urbana de Manaus não detectou fragmentos genômicos de arbovírus. Fatores como baixa viremia no momento da coleta de sangue e estocagem das amostras de soro podem ter contribuído para a não detecção dos fragmentos genômicos. Contudo, o protocolo de detecção de fragmentos genômicos de arbovírus baseado na técnica de PCR está em uso nos centros de pesquisa e vigilância epidemiológica da Fundação de Medicina Tropical do Amazonas FMTAM e do Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane ILMD/FIOCRUZ.