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Recurrent arthralgias in a patient with previous Mayaro fever infection

Shawn F Taylor1, Paresh R Patel, Thomas J S Herold

  • 1Department of Emergency Medicine, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA. shawnft@aol.com

Southern Medical Journal
|May 19, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Mayaro fever, a mosquito-borne illness, typically resolves on its own. This case highlights recurrent joint pain, a previously undocumented symptom, in a military member.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Entomology
  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Mayaro virus, an Alphavirus from the Togaviridae family, causes acute febrile illness.
  • This mosquito-borne virus is endemic in South America and the Caribbean.
  • Mayaro fever presents with symptoms similar to dengue, including fever, headache, myalgias, and arthralgias.

Observation:

  • Previously, Mayaro fever has been characterized as a self-limited illness.
  • No prior reports documented recurrent symptoms associated with Mayaro virus infection.
  • This case report details recurrent arthralgias in a military service member.

Findings:

  • The case study focuses on an unusual presentation of Mayaro virus infection.
  • Recurrent arthralgias were observed in a military service member presenting to the emergency department.
  • This challenges the established understanding of Mayaro fever's self-limiting nature.

Implications:

  • The findings suggest a potential for prolonged or recurrent symptoms in Mayaro virus infections.
  • Further research is needed to understand the pathogenesis and clinical spectrum of Mayaro fever.
  • This case underscores the importance of considering Mayaro virus in febrile illnesses with unusual symptom patterns.

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