One-Step reverse transcriptase PCR for detection of arboviruses in serum samples of patients assisted in Basic health Units in the State of Maranhão, Brazil / PCR de transcriptase reversa em uma etapa para detecção de arbovírus em amostras de soro de pacientes atendidos em Unidades Básicas de Saúde no estado do Maranhão, Brasil

Abstract

polymerase chain reaction to detect acute infections caused by dengue, zika, chikungunya, and mayaro virus in clinical samples. Methods: We evaluated 620 sera samples collected from March 2016 to March 2018 and provided by the Central Health Laboratory of Maranhão (LACEN-MA). Total RNA was isolated from clinical specimens and used as the template for one-step RT-PCR assays with specific-primers designed for this study. Results: Of the 620 sera evaluated, 386 (62.2%) were positive, among them 330 (85.5%) amplified a specific fragment for chikungunya, 55 (14.2%) showed a fragment compatible with dengue serotype 4, and 1 (0.3%) exhibited profile for mayaro virus. Conclusions: The results obtained here were more sensitive than IgM-ELISA because the viral RNA was detected in serum samples from patients, not only from 1 to 6 days but also from 7 to 10 days after the beginning of clinical signs (convalescent period). Besides, the mayaro virus was detected in one serum sample that was IgM-ELISA negative for dengue, zika, and chikungunya.