[Experience with serological diagnosis of chikungunya fever]

Abstract

Background: During the year 2006 first imported cases of chikungunya fever in Europe occured contextual to the epidemic in the area of Indian ocean. In summer 2007 also autochthonnic chikungunya infections in the northern part of Italy appeared. On the basis of these facts serologic diagnostics of chikungunya fever was initiated in the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for Arboviruses of the Czech Republic.

Material and methods: Complement-fixation assay was estabilished in 2006. Micromodification of virus-neutralisation assay in 96-well plate with staining of the cell cultures for detection of anti-chikungunya v. antibodies was developed and estabilished for improvement of the diagnostics in 2007. Consequently in 2008 the diagnostics was completed with indirect immunofluorescence assay for detection of anti-chikungunya v. IgG and IgM antibodies using the commercial EUROIMMUN assay. Principle of virus-neutralisation and the test procedure is described in the paper. Results reached by the use of all these methods are compared.

Results: From February 2006 to February 2008 110 serum samples from 104 persons were tested for anti-chikungunya v. antibodies. In 4 pateints acute chikungunya v. infection was proved and two other persons revealed seropositivity without acute infection.

Conclusions: Qualitative correspondence between the particular methods was demonstrated and a benefit of virus-neutralisation assay for confirmation of the results was proved.