Establishment and characterization of a model of Mayaro virus infection in immunocompromised mice

Abstract

Mayaro virus (MAYV) belongs to the Alphavirus genus along with other important viruses such as Chikungunya virus (CHIKV). The chronic disease caused by MAYV is described by a highly incapacitating joint pain which may endure for several weeks or months in at least 50% of the symptomatic patients. Recently, reports of sporadic outbreaks in humans has increased, however, the dynamic of the Mayaro infection is not completely understood and there is still no treatment or vaccine available. Herein, our goal was to develop an animal immunocompromised model ideal to understand the immunologic dynamic of the disease and perform antiviral tests.