title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Groupe de Recherche Immunopathologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Université de la Réunion et CHR Félix Guyon, Plateau technique du CYROI, 2 rue Maxime Rivière, 97470 Sainte-Clotilde, Reunion, France.
authors.forename: Marie Christine
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Jaffar-Bandjee
authors.forename: Duksha
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ramful
authors.forename: Bernard Alex
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Gauzere
authors.forename: Jean Jacques
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Hoarau
authors.forename: Pascale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Krejbich-Trotot
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Robin
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ribera
authors.forename: Jimmy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Selambarom
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gasque
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000821:virology; D018354:Alphavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D000818:Animals; D002646:Chikungunya virus; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D007302:Insect Repellents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000187:drug effects / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014611:Vaccination; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D007302:Insect Repellents; D014765:Viral Vaccines