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Mayaro fever virus, Brazilian Amazon
Raimunda S S Azevedo1, Eliana V P Silva, Valéria L Carvalho
1Instituto Evandro Chagas, CEP 67030-000, Ananindeua, Brazil.
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|November 7, 2009
Summary
An outbreak of Mayaro virus (MAYV) in Brazil caused fever, rash, and joint pain. Genotype D was identified in three virus samples, confirming the specific strain responsible for the 2008 epidemic.
Area of Science:
- * Arbovirology
- * Infectious Diseases
- * Epidemiology
Background:
- * Mayaro virus (MAYV) is an arbovirus known to cause febrile illness with arthralgia.
- * Previous MAYV outbreaks have been documented in South America, highlighting its public health significance.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To characterize the clinical presentation and etiological agent of an outbreak in northern Brazil.
- * To determine the genetic makeup of the circulating MAYV during the outbreak.
Main Methods:
- * Clinical data collection from affected individuals in Santa Barbara municipality.
- * Detection of Mayaro virus-specific Immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).
- * Viral isolation and genetic sequencing of three MAYV samples.
Main Results:
- * A significant outbreak of Mayaro fever occurred in February 2008, affecting a settlement in Santa Barbara.
- * Patients presented with characteristic symptoms including rash, fever, and severe arthralgia lasting up to seven days.
- * Immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies against MAYV were confirmed in 36 individuals, and three sequenced isolates were identified as genotype D.
Conclusions:
- * The 2008 outbreak in northern Brazil was caused by Mayaro virus (MAYV).
- * The identified genotype D MAYV strains are associated with significant clinical manifestations, including severe arthralgia.
- * This study underscores the importance of ongoing surveillance and characterization of MAYV genotypes in endemic regions.
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