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Review
. 2022 Aug 16;14(8):1786.
doi: 10.3390/v14081786.

Chikungunya Immunopathology as It Presents in Different Organ Systems

Elizabeth M Traverse  1 , Erin M Millsapps  1 , Emma C Underwood  1 , Hannah K Hopkins  1 , Makenzie Young  1 , Kelli L Barr  1
Affiliations
Review

Chikungunya Immunopathology as It Presents in Different Organ Systems

Elizabeth M Traverse et al. Viruses. .

Abstract

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is currently an urgent public health problem as high morbidity from the virus leaves populations with negative physical, social, and economic impacts. CHIKV has the potential to affect every organ of an individual, leaving patients with lifelong impairments which negatively affect their quality of life. In this review, we show the importance of CHIKV in research and public health by demonstrating the immunopathology of CHIKV as it presents in different organ systems. Papers used in this review were found on PubMed, using "chikungunya and [relevant organ system]". There is a significant inflammatory response during CHIKV infection which affects several organ systems, such as the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, skin, and joints, and the immune response to CHIKV in each organ system is unique. Whilst there is clinical evidence to suggest that serious complications can occur, there is ultimately a lack of understanding of how CHIKV can affect different organ systems. It is important for clinicians to understand the risks to their patients.

Keywords: arthritis; cardiac; chikungunya; cutaneous; immunology; immunopathogenesis; joints; neurological; renal; respiratory.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Generalized schematic of the major organ systems affected by CHIKV infection and their associated T cell and cytokine response. Figure generated in BioRender.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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