Serological evidence of Mayaro virus infection in blood donors from São Carlos, São Paulo, 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.