Emerging alphaviruses in the Americas: Chikungunya and Mayaro

Abstract

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and Mayaro virus (MAYV) are emergent arthropod-borne viruses that produce outbreaks of acute febrile illness with arthropathy. Despite their different continental origins, CHIKV and MAYV are closely related and are components of the Semliki Forest Complex of the Alphavirus (Togaviridae). MAYV and, more recently, CHIKV, which are both transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, have resulted in severe public health problems in the Americas, including Brazil. In this review, we present aspects of the pathogenesis, clinical presentation and treatment of febrile illnesses produced by CHIKV and MAYV. We also discuss the epidemiological aspects and effects related to the prophylaxis of infections by both viruses.

Zika virus in Brazil and the danger of infestation by Aedes (Stegomyia) mosquitoes

“…(18) . Recently, CHIKV has been reported from the United States (Florida), El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, Caribbean islands, Venezuela, and the Guyanas (19) , and caused a great number of infections in the Brazilian States of Amapá, Bahia, and Minas Gerais in 2014 (2) . Because the lineage of CHIKV isolated from the Americas is different from that of the Indian Ocean Lineage (IOL), which is adapted to Ae.…”

“…Ten arboviruses have recently been reviewed as important emergent disease agents in Brazil (1) , of which Aedes aegypti can transmit dengue virus (DENV), yellow fever virus (YFV), Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) (2) , Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) (3) , and Mayaro virus (MAYV) (2) (4) . In addition, Aedes albopictus can transmit several arboviruses (5) , as detailed below.…”

How are so many foreign arboviruses introduced in Brazil?

“…In addition, CHIKV was added to Mayaro virus (MAYV), an American arbovirus of primates belonging to the same genera, that produces small outbreaks and sporadic cases of febrile illness with joint pain in the North and Midwest of the country. Thus, the differential diagnosis between CHIKV and MAYV is important in these regions (6) . Until September 2016, >236,000 cases of CHIKV were reported including a large number of patients that evolved with chronic arthropathy (4) .…”

Serious disease outbreaks caused by viruses transmitted by Aedes aegypti in Brazil

“…In September 2014, an outbreak in Feira de Santana, Bahia, was the first documented outbreak of CHIKV. Asian genotype CHIKV spread through Northeast (Bahia), Midwest, and Southeast (São Paulo) Regions of Brazil (3) . In 2015, 20662 suspected cases of Chikungunya fever were reported in the outbreaks that occurred in the States of Amazonas, Ceará, Goiás, Maranhão, Minas Gerais, Pará, Paraná, Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, and São Paulo.…”