Long-Term Arthralgia after Mayaro Virus Infection Correlates with Sustained Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Response.
Mayaro virus (MAYV), an alphavirus similar to chikungunya virus (CHIKV), causes an acute debilitating disease which results in the development of long-term arthralgia in more than 50% of infected individuals. Currently, the immune response and its role in the development of MAYV-induced persistent arthralgia remain unknown. In this study, we evaluated the immune response of individuals with confirmed MAYV infection in a one-year longitudinal study carried out in Loreto, Peru. We report that MAYV infection elicits robust immune responses that result in the development of a strong neutralizing antibody response and the secretion of pro-inflammatory immune mediators. The composition of these inflammatory mediators, in some cases, differed to those previously observed for CHIKV. Key mediators such as IL-13, IL-7 and VEGF were strongly induced following MAYV infection and were significantly increased in subjects that eventually developed persistent arthralgia. Although a strong neutralizing antibody response was observed in all subjects, it was not sufficient to prevent the long-term outcomes of MAYV infection. This study provides initial immunologic insight that may eventually contribute to prognostic tools and therapeutic treatments against this emerging pathogen.
Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, Galveston, Texas, United States of America; Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America.
Felix W
FW
Santiago
US Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6, Lima, Peru.
Eric S
ES
Halsey
US Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6, Iquitos, Peru.
Crystyan
C
Siles
US Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6, Iquitos, Peru.
Stalin
S
Vilcarromero
US Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6, Lima, Peru.
Carolina
C
Guevara
Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, Galveston, Texas, United States of America; Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America.
Jesus A
JA
Silvas
Hospital Regional, Loreto, Peru.
Cesar
C
Ramal
US Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6, Lima, Peru.
Julia S
JS
Ampuero
Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, Galveston, Texas, United States of America; Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America; Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Galveston, Texas, United States of America.
Patricia V
PV
Aguilar
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000524:Alphavirus / Q000276:immunology*; D018354:Alphavirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology*; D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing / Q000097:blood; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010568:Peru; D055815:Young Adult
D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D016207:Cytokines