Mayaro Virus: An Agent Capable to Cause Major Epidemics

Short Communication

Austin J Trop Med & Hyg. 2019; 2(1): 1010.

Mayaro Virus: An Agent Capable to Cause Major Epidemics

Montero A*

Research Council, National University of Rosario, Argentina

Center for Tropical Medicine and Emergent Infectious Diseases, National University of Rosario, Argentina

*Corresponding author: Antonio Montero, Senior Investigator, Research Council, National University of Rosario, Argentina

Scientific Director, Center for Tropical Medicine and Emergent Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of Rosario, Argentina

Received: March 20, 2019; Accepted: April 02, 2019; Published: April 09, 2019

Short Communication

Mayaro Virus (MAYV) is an Alphavirus Closely Related to Chikungunya Virus (CHKV). MAYV is the causative agent of Mayaro Fever, an acute, flu-like febrile syndrome characterized by headache, myalgia, artharlgias, vomiting, diarrhea, retro-orbital pain and rash [1]. Arthralgia are often severe and prostrating, lasting for up to a year, being recurrent relapses possible [2,3].

From its original isolation in Trinidad in 1954, MAYV spread causing sporadic cases or small epidemics in Brazil, Bolivia, Columbia, Guyana and French Guiana, Peru, Venezuela, Haiti and Surinam (3). Additionally, serological evidence reveals the presence of MAYV in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Panama, México and Northern Argentina [4]. MAYV is actually prevalent in most tropical countries from South and Central America and in the Caribbean region [5].

Recently pandemic of CHIKV [6] raises the question if MAYV possess a similar potential to emerge in an urban cycle [7].

MAYV is mainly transmitted by Haemagogus janthinomys [8], and less frequently by Aedes serratus, Psorophora ferox, Sabethes spp [9]. and Culex spp. More recently, Aedes aegypti has been also found capable to transmit MAYV, although its potential as a vector seems to be limited because short viremia and low titers of MAYV into blood [10,11]. However, any triggering event capable to increase the spatial and temporal interaction between viremic humans and mosquitoes [12] as it can be the case for mass-tourism-or any genetic mutation conducting to greater titers of viremia may improve the capability of A. aegypti to transmit MAYV [13,14].

This virus has spread to many countries of south and Central America, introduced by sick travelers or migratory birds. Therefore, it is possible to imagine a future scenario in which MAYV, after adaptation to an urban cycle, causes major epidemics. Moreover, Mayaro fever cases in Iquitos demonstrate the opportunity for viremic people to contact urban vectors. Furthermore, reports in 2010 of travelers returning to France and the Netherlands with serological evidence of recent MAYV infection illustrate opportunities for export the virus beyond its endemic range [15].

Then, MAYV is potentially capable to trigger urban outbreaks and to spread beyond their natural reservoirs, even causing mayor epidemics. Regarding the recent history of Zika and CHKV, MAYV must be considered as a potential threat of pandemic scale.

References

  1. Pinheiro FP, Le Duc JW. Mayaro virus disease. In: Monath TP, editor. The Arboviruses: Epidemiology and Ecology. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press. 1988; 137.
  2. Halsey ES, Siles C, Guevara C, Vilcarromero S, Jhonston EJ, Ramal C, et al. Mayaro virus infection, Amazon Basin Region, Peru, 2010-2013. Emerg Infect Dis. 2013; 19: 1839-1842.
  3. Slegers C, Keuter M, Günther S, Chanasit JS, van der Ven A, de Mast Q. Persisting arthralgia due to Mayaro virus infection in a traveler from Brazil: Is there a risk for attendants to the 2014 FIFA World Cup?. J Clin Virol. 2014; 60: 317-319.
  4. Anderson CR, Downs WG, Wattley GH, Ahin NW, Reese AA. Mayaro virus: a new human disease agent. II. Isolation from blood of patients in Trinidad, BW I. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1957; 6: 1012-1016.
  5. Napoleão-Pego P, Gomes L, Provance-Jr D, De-Simone S. Mayaro Virus Disease. J Hum Virol Retrovirol. 2014; 1: 00018. 5
  6. Montero A. Chikungunya Fever. A New Global Threat Medicina Clínica (English Edition) Medicina Clínica 2014; 145: 118-123.
  7. Weaver S, Reisen W. Present and future arboviral threats. Antiviral Res. 2009; 85: 328-345.
  8. Groot H, Morales A, Vidales H. Virus isolation from forest mosquitoes in San Vicente de Chucuri, Colombia. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1961; 10: 397-402.
  9. Pinheiro F, Le Duc J. Mayaro virus disease. Monath T, ed. The Arboviruses: Epidemiology and Ecology. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. 1988; 137-150.9
  10. Pinheiro F, Freitas R, Travassos da Rosa J, Gabbay Y, Mello W, Le Duc J. An outbreak of Mayaro virus disease in Belterra, Brazil I. Clinical and virological findings. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1981; 30: 674-681.
  11. Tesh RB, Watts DM, Russell KL, Damodaran C, Calampa C, Cabezas C, et al. Mayaro virus disease: an emerging mosquito-borne zoonosis in tropical South America. Clin Infect Dis. 1999; 28: 67-73.
  12. Talarmin A, Chandler L, Kazanji M, de Thoisy B, Debon P, Lelarge J. Mayaro virus fever in French Guiana: isolation, identification, and seroprevalence. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1998; 59: 452-456.
  13. Talarmin A, Chandler L, Kazanji M, de Thoisy B, Debon P, Lelarge J. Mayaro virus fever in French Guiana: isolation, identification, and seroprevalence. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1998; 59: 452-456.
  14. Powers A, Aguilar P, Chandler L, Brault A, Meakins T, Watts D. Genetic relationships among Mayaro and Una viruses suggest distinct patterns of transmission. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2006; 75: 461-469.
  15. Receveur MC, Grandadam M, Pistone T, Malvy D. Infection with Mayaro virus in a French traveller returning from the Amazon region, Brazil, January, 2010. Euro Surveill. 2010; 15: 19563.

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Citation: Montero A. Mayaro Virus: An Agent Capable to Cause Major Epidemics. Austin J Trop Med & Hyg. 2019; 2(1): 1010.

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