MAYARO AND WESTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS VIRUS CIRCULATION

IN URBAN AREAS DURING DENGUE 4 OUTBREAK IN MATO GROSSO,

BRAZIL
Nayara Zuchi, Leticia Borges da Silva Heinen, Marcelo Adriano Mendes dos Santos,
Ana Elisa Viniski, Sumako Kinoshita Ueda, Fernanda Carla Pereira, Breno Hermann
Ferreira Gondim, Francisco Jos Dutra Souto, Renata Dezengrini Slhessarenko

Programa de Ps-Graduao em Cincias da Sade, Faculdade de Medicina, UFMT
MT-Laboratrio, Secretaria de Vigilncia em Sade, Secretaria Estadual de Sade, MT

Arthropod-borne viruses occur in tropical areas, posing a problem for human
health.Mayaro(MAYV)and Western Equine Encephalitis(WEEV)are Alphaviruses
belonging to Togaviridae family.MAYV is transmitted by Haemagogus janthinomys
and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, is endemic in the Amazon region,reported during human
outbreaks in surrounding States.The primary vector for WEEV are Culex spp., wild
birds are reservoirs and, the agent and serology in horses have been described in the
Amazon region and Pantanal, respectively. We collected 604 serum samples from
patients with acute febrile illness suspected of harboring dengue infection between Jan-
July/2012.Samples were submitted to RNA extraction(QIAmp viral RNA kit),RT-
PCR(Alphavirus,433bp)followed by semi-N-RT-PCR(MAYV 270bp;AURAV
98bp;EEEV 124bp;WEEV 208bp;VEEV 400bp).Amplicons were submitted to
sequencing.We found 20/604 (3,3%) positive for MAYV in Cuiab,Vrzea
Grande,Nossa Sra Livramento,Sorriso, Santa Carmem;2 co-infected with DENV-1,17
with DENV-4.Additionally,1/604(0,16%)sample was a co-infection of WEEV/DENV-4
in Cuiab;sequencing is underway.Mayaro causes a mild febrile illness clinically
mistaken with dengue fever,with a short viremic period.WEEV cause symptoms
ranging from mild acute febrile illness to severe encephalitis.Both infections can be
clinically mistaken with Dengue Fever.These findings suggest MAYV is circulating in
urban areas of MT, probably transmitted by Aedes aegypti. WEEV occurrence in MT
has been already demonstrated in Barra do Garas,2011(MT-Lab)and in equines from
Pantanal.WEEV occurrence in MT is currently poorly understood.These aspects,
combined with absence of routine laboratorial diagnose in MT to other arboviruses
besides Dengue serotypes,may contribute to the lack of comprehension about MAYV
and WEEV infection dynamics,emphasizing the necessity of surveillance improvement
and the establishment of fast and specific diagnostic tools in the State.*Financial
support:CNPq/CAPES/FAPEMAT/UFMT.