[R01] Urbanization potential of Mayaro virus in Peru
Ente: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Scadenza: 2031-08-31
Importo max: $578,157
Paese: US
Descrizione
Abstract
The second most common cause of alphavirus-induced febrile illness in Latin America is Mayaro virus
(MAYV), an arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) present in tropical regions of South America, Central America, and
the Caribbean, with most infections occuring in the Amazon rainforest. Passive febrile surveillance studies
carried out in the northern coastal region of Piura, Peru, have shown a consistent increase in MAYV cases. Even
more concerning is the co-infection of MAYV with dengue virus (DENV) in 6.4% of febrile patients in areas where
wild primates, the main reservoir host of MAYV, are conspicuously absent. We previously reported that while a
strain isolated during a year of low MAYV activity in 2002 showed little to no transmission, a strain isolated during
the 2011 outbreak of MAYV had a higher frequency of infection, dissemination, and transmission in both Ae.
aegypti and Ae. albopictus. These strains differed by 12 non-synonymous mutations, two of which were found
in the E2 glycoprotein. More recently, we found that a MAYV strain isolated in 2019 is even more efficient in
being transmitted by Ae. aegypti than the 2011 MAYV strain. These studies suggest that MAYV is adapting to
be better transmitted by Ae. aegypti and constitute the premise for our proposed studies.
This proposal seeks to examine the natural evolution and transmission cycle of MAYV in Peru as well as its
urbanization. We hypothesize that MAYV has adapted to an urban transmission cycle involving humans in Peru
due to mutations in the structural and non-structural proteins. This hypothesis will be tested through the following
specific aims: 1) study the transmission cycle of MAYV in Peru; 2) Perform transmission studies to investigate
whether MAYV strains from Piura and other transmission hotspots in Peru have enhanced ability to be
transmitted by urban vectors; 3) Unravel the viral and host elements contributing to MAYV transmission in urban
vectors.
This project will broaden our knowledge on MAYV transmission and spatial understanding of competent urban
vectors for MAYV. Given the potential heightened risk of MAYV urbanization, it is essential to identify the primary
vector species to develop effective protective measures and novel strategies to halt transmission.
Istituzione: UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MED BR GALVESTON
PI: Patricia Veronica Aguilar
Progetto: 1R01AI200246-01
Settori: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
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