Development and evaluation of a duplex RT-qPCR assay for the detection and identification of Mayaro and chikungunya viruses

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ABSTRACT Mayaro virus (MAYV) is a mosquito-borne alphavirus that is widespread in the Amazon basin, where it co-circulates with the closely related chikungunya virus (CHIKV). Due to the limited surveillance and technical limitations of diagnostic assays (scarcity of commercial assays, serology cross-reactivity), the true burden of MAYV is uncertain. We designed a new RT-qPCR assay targeting the nsp1 gene for MAYV detection, which can be used in monoplex or duplex format. In the duplex format, the new MAYV assay is combined with a CHIKV assay and a second MAYV assay, both previously published. The lower limit of detection with a 95% positivity rate was determined to be <10 RNA copies/μL in monoplex and duplex formats for both MAYV and CHIKV. Monoplex and duplex assays proved to be linear within the tested range of approximately 10 8 to 10 2 RNA copies/μL and showed 100% specificity against a wide panel of arboviruses as well as several other pathogens in clinical samples. The testing of CHIKV-positive sera and MAYV-spiked plasma samples confirmed the suitability of the assays in a clinical setting. These assays offer a reliable tool for detection and differentiation of MAYV and CHIKV in endemic settings. IMPORTANCE Molecular diagnostic capabilities for detecting alphaviruses other than chikungunya virus (CHIKV) remain limited. Mayaro virus (MAYV), an emerging mosquito-borne alphavirus, co-circulates with CHIKV in the Americas, making clinical differentiation between the two viruses challenging. To address this, we developed a novel RT-qPCR assay specifically for the detection of MAYV, which can also be used in a duplex format to simultaneously detect and distinguish CHIKV. The assay was thoroughly evaluated in both monoplex and duplex formats and demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity. This new tool is particularly valuable for the detection of MAYV, especially in resource-limited settings, where its duplex format offers efficient and accurate differentiation of acute infections.

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