Emergence and clinical insights into the pathology of Chikungunya virus infection

Abstract

Major epidemics of Chikungunya have re-emerged with millions of cases worldwide. What was once largely a tropical disease in poorer countries is now recognized as a major global health issue. The disease is perpetuated by the alphavirus Chikungunya, and is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. The infection is highly symptomatic, with fever, skin rash and incapacitating arthralgia, which can evolve to chronic arthritis and rheumatism in elderly patients. Mother-to-child transmission, encephalitis, Guillain–Barré syndrome and deaths have been noted. In this article, we will highlight the epidemiological, clinical, virological and immunological aspects of the disease and mention the therapies that have been used during recent epidemics. Novel prevention measures to control the mosquito and a new vaccine are highly warranted.

Keywords::

• anti-TNF-α
• arthritis
• Chikungunya
• chloroquine
• encephalitis
• immunology
• methotrexate
• mosquito
• neutralizing antiserum
• vaccine

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The Immunopathology and Infection Research Grouping has received financial support from the University of La Réunion, the overseas French ministry (Ministère de l’outre mer), the Agence Nationale de la Recherche en France, the Health French Ministry (PHRC research program), the Centre de Recherche et de Veille de l’Océan Indien and INSERM (Contrat d’interface to Philippe Gasque). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.