DISTRIBUIÇÃO EPIDEMIOLÓGICA E PERFIL EVOLUTIVO DO VÍRUS MAYARO NAS AMÉRICAS: UMA ATUALIZAÇÃO SOBRE A VARIABILIDADE DO GENOMA

Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso (Graduação)Mayaro virus (MAYV) is the etiologic agent of Mayaro Fever, a disease characterized by dengue-like symptoms and arthralgias that can progress to a chronic condition. MAYV is phylogenetically classified into the genotypes D (widely dispersed), L (limited), and N (new), being the D the most common. Additionally, a new genotype was generated by a recombination event between L and D, resulting in the genotype L/D. There are limited epidemiological and evolutionary studies on MAYV, resulting in the difficulty in tracking the emerging potential of this virus. In this context, here we investigated the MAYV genomic variations in sequences from different regions of America, and characterized the phylogenetic relationship among virus strains. Through the analysis of 40 complete genome sequences of MAYV from the GenBank database, uploaded in South, Central, and North American Countries, the phylogenetic tree was reconstructed, showing that sequences grouped according to the genotypes L, D, and L/D. Sequences characterized as genotype D were closely related to sequences from their respective countries, suggesting that isolates may had originated from circulating lineages in the respective countries. In addition, an unidentified sequence from the United States of America grouped with the genotype D, suggesting the insertion of this genotype in the country. Furthermore, our data demonstrated that a sequence previously characterized as genotype L grouped with isolates of genotype L/D, and presented an insertion of nucleotides into the nsP3, positioned identically to the genotype L/D. These results were also corroborated by our recombination analysis, which also identified this isolate as L/D hybrid. The analysis of amino acid mutations among sequences indicated positive and negative selective pressure sites, suggesting adaptability of viral fitness. These results provide information on the epidemiological distribution and evolutionary profile of MAYV, contributing to a better understanding of genotypes circulating in the Americas, as well as the potential viral changes that may contribute to the emergence of mutation of interest or new viral genotypes.2023-06-1