Development of an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay To Detect Antibodies Targeting Recombinant Envelope Protein 2 of Mayaro Virus

Author(s)

Fumagalli, Marcilio Jorge ^[1] ; de Souza, William Marciel ^[1] ; Romeiro, Marilia Farignoli ^[1] ; de Souza Costa, Michell Charles ^[2] ; Slhessarenko, Renata Dezengrini ^[2] ; Moraes Figueiredo, Luiz Tadeu ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Virol Res Ctr, Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Mato Grosso, Med Sci Fac, Cuiaba, Mato Grosso - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Clinical Microbiology; v. 57, n. 5 MAY 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 4

Abstract

Mayaro virus (MAYV) is a neglected arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) antigenically clustered into the Semliki Forest complex group of Alphavirus genus (Togaviridae family), maintained in an unclear zoonotic cycle involving mosquitoes from Haemagogus genus as the main vector. The genome is composed of a positive single-stranded RNA of 11.5 kb in length, which contains two genes that encode four nonstructural (nsP1 to nsP4) and five structural (C, E3, E2, 6K, and E1) proteins. In the present study, we have developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using as antigen the recombinant envelope protein 2 of MAYV produced in an Escherichia coli system (rE2-MAYV ELISAs). A panel of 68 human serum samples from suspected arboviral cases was analyzed and titrated for anti-MAYV IgM and IgG antibody detection. The rE2-MAYV ELISA detected 33.8% (23/68) IgG-positive samples, demonstrating 100% sensitivity and 78.95% specificity compared to the MAYV-specific 50% plaque reduction neutralization assay. In addition, the positive MAYV-neutralizing samples showed high titers of detection by rE2-MAYV ELISA, suggesting a highly sensitive test. The rE2-MAYV ELISA also detected 42.5% (29/68) IgM-positive samples, of which 13.8% (4/29) presented high-avidity interactions with rE2-MAYV. Cross-reactivity was observed with Chikungunya virus (CHIKV)-specific murine antibody sample but not with CHIKV-specific human and other Alphavirus murine antibodies. In short, we have developed a rapid, simple, specific, and sensitive MAYV rE2-ELISA, and our preliminary results show its potential applicability to diagnosis of MAYV infections. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/20851-8 - Study about Alphavirus and Flavivirus infections in samples of blood bank
• Grantee: Marilia Farignoli Romeiro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 17/13981-0 - Characterization, genomics and diagnostic of viruses with importance for public health in Brazil by high throughput sequencing
• Grantee: William Marciel de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 16/01414-1 - Production of recombinant viral antigenic peptides and development of methods for serological diagnosis of infections by Chikungunya, Mayaro and Zika viruses
• Grantee: Marcilio Jorge Fumagalli
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 12/24150-9 - Research of virus in wild rodents, mosquitoes and ticks
• Grantee: William Marciel de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 14/02438-6 - Studies with Bunyaviridae that produce human disease
• Grantee: Luiz Tadeu Moraes Figueiredo
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants