Emerging alphaviruses in the Americas: Chikungunya and Mayaro

  • Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 2014 Nov-Dec;47(6):677-83. doi: 10.1590/0037-8682-0246-2014.
Mario Luis Garcia de Figueiredo  1 ,  Luiz Tadeu Moraes Figueiredo  2
Affiliations
  • 1. Instituto Evandro Chagas, Belém, PA, Brazil.
  • 2. Centro de Pesquisa em Virologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
PMID: 25626645 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0246-2014
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.