The Chikungunya threat: an ecological and evolutionary perspective.
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an emerging mosquito-borne alphavirus. Although primarily African and zoonotic, it is known chiefly for its non-African large urban outbreaks during which it is transmitted by the same vectors as those of Dengue viruses. Unlike Dengue viruses, CHIKV displays a re-emergence pattern that closely depends on long-distance migrations including recent re-immigrations from African (putatively zoonotic) sources. Genus-based differences also emerged when comparing the evolution of Dengue-related (Flaviviruses) and of CHIKV-related (Alphaviruses) arboviruses. In this review, we discuss current information on CHIKV genetics, ecology and human infection. Further investigations on African CHIKV ecology and the differences between Flavivirus and Alphavirus members in adaptive changes and evolutionary constraints are likely to help delineate the potential of further CHIKV (re-)emergence.
Chevillon
Christine
C
Génétique et Evolution des Maladies Infectieuses (UMR CNRS-IRD 2724), Centre IRD, 911 Avenue Agropolis, BP 64501 F-34095 Montpellier CEDEX 5, France. christine.chevillon@mpl.ird.fr
Briant
Laurence
L
Renaud
François
F
Devaux
Christian
C
D018354:Alphavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D000818:Animals; D001102:Arbovirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D001103:Arboviruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002646:Chikungunya virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans