Serological evidence of Mayaro virus infection in blood donors from São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.
Marilia Farignoli Romeiro, Marcílio Jorge Fumagalli, Ana Beatriz Dos Anjos, Luiz Tadeu Moraes Figueiredo
Author Information
Marilia Farignoli Romeiro: Virology Research Center, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo state, Brazil.
Marcílio Jorge Fumagalli: Virology Research Center, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo state, Brazil.
Ana Beatriz Dos Anjos: Virology Research Center, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo state, Brazil.
Luiz Tadeu Moraes Figueiredo: Virology Research Center, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo state, Brazil.
BACKGROUND: Human infections by Mayaro virus (MAYV) occur by insect bites upon exposure to rural or sylvatic areas. Information regarding MAYV transmission is limited due to a lack of commercial diagnostic assays and diagnostic confusion on account of similarities of clinical signs with other co-circulating arboviral diseases. METHODS: A serological survey of MAYV and Chikunguya virus (CHIKV) antibodies was performed by ELISA. Between 2017 and 2018, 5608 blood donor samples were tested. RESULTS: Specific IgM and IgG antibodies to MAYV were detected respectively in 36 and 11 samples, indicating a total seroprevalence of approximately 0.83%. Neutralization activity was observed in two IgG positive sera. Additionally, eight distinct samples had IgM antibodies to CHIKV alone. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest previously unreported circulation of MAYV in São Carlos city, from southeastern Brazil.
