Chikungunya fever: a threat to global public health

Abstract

Chikungunya fever is an emerging arbovirus infection, representing a serious public health problem. Its etiological agent is the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV). Transmission of this virus is mainly vector by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes, although transmission by blood transfusions and vertical transmission has also been reported. The disease presents high morbidity caused mainly by the arthralgia and arthritis generated. Cardiovascular and neurological manifestations have also been reported. The severity of the infection seems to be directly associated with the action of the virus, but also with the decompensation of preexisting comorbidities. Currently, there are no therapeutic products neither vaccines licensed to the infection CHIKV control, although several vaccine candidates are being evaluated and human polyvalent immunoglobulins anti-CHIKV had been tested. Antibodies can protect against the infection, but in sub-neutralizing concentrations can augment virus infection and exacerbate disease severity. So, the prevention still depends on the use of personal protection measures and vector control, which are only minimally effective.

Keywords: Chikungunya virus; arboviruses; chikungunya fever; chikungunya virus infection; chikungunya virus pathogenesis.

Figure 1.

Schematic representation of the pathogenesis of chikungunya virus infection in the human host. Notes: The virus is introduced into the skin by the bite of the infected mosquito, where it initiates replication in macrophages and cutaneous fibroblasts. Viral particles are captured by dendritic cells from the skin that carry them to the nearest lymph nodes where they will infect macrophages and monocytes. Infected monocytes enter the bloodstream carrying the viruses to multiple organs such as: liver, kidneys, heart, brain, eyes, skeletal muscles, and joints, where they replicate and induce inflammatory response.