Mosquito-transmitted viruses - the great Brazilian challenge

Braz J Microbiol. 2016 Dec;47 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):38-50. doi: 10.1016/j.bjm.2016.10.008. Epub 2016 Oct 27.

Abstract

Arboviruses pose a serious threat to public health worldwide, overloading the healthcare system and causing economic losses. These viruses form a very diverse group, and in Brazil, arboviruses belonging to the families Flaviviridae and Togaviridae are predominant. Unfortunately, the number of arboviruses increases in proportion with factors such as deforestation, poor sanitation, climate changes, and introduction of new viruses like Chikungunya virus and Zika virus. In Brazil, dengue is endemic, along with the presence of other arboviruses. The situation is complicated by the scarcity of diagnostic infrastructure and the absence of approved vaccines for these diseases. Disease control, thus, relies solely on vector control. Therefore, enhanced clinical knowledge and improved general awareness about these arboviruses are indispensable to tackle diagnostic inadequacies.

Keywords: Arboviruses; Chikungunya; Dengue; Mayaro; Zika.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alphavirus / classification
  • Alphavirus / physiology
  • Alphavirus Infections / diagnosis
  • Alphavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Alphavirus Infections / transmission
  • Alphavirus Infections / virology
  • Animals
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Culicidae / virology*
  • Dengue / epidemiology
  • Dengue / transmission
  • Dengue / virology
  • Dengue Virus / classification
  • Dengue Virus / physiology
  • Humans
  • Insect Vectors / virology*
  • Virus Diseases / diagnosis
  • Virus Diseases / epidemiology
  • Virus Diseases / transmission*
  • Virus Diseases / virology*
  • Zika Virus Infection / diagnosis
  • Zika Virus Infection / epidemiology
  • Zika Virus Infection / transmission
  • Zika Virus Infection / virology