Genetic characterization of Chikungunya virus in the Central African Republic.
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an alphavirus transmitted by the bite of mosquito vectors. Over the past 10 years, the virus has gained mutations that enhance its transmissibility by the Aedes albopictus vector, resulting in massive outbreaks in the Indian Ocean, Asia and Central Africa. Recent introduction of competent A. albopictus vectors into the Central African Republic (CAR) pose a threat of a Chikungunya fever (CHIKF) epidemic in this region. We undertook this study to assess the genetic diversity and background of CHIKV strains isolated in the CAR between 1975 and 1984 and also to estimate the ability of local strains to adapt to A. albopictus. Our results suggest that, local CHIKV strains have a genetic background compatible with quick adaptation to A. albopictus, as previously observed in other Central African countries. Intense surveillance of the human and vector populations is necessary to prevent or anticipate the emergence of a massive CHIKF epidemic in the CAR.
Virology Department, Institut Pasteur de Bangui, Bangui, Central African Republic; Epidemiology and Physiopathology of Oncogenic Viruses Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France. Electronic address: marion.desdouits@curie.fr.
Marion
M
Desdouits
Virology Department, Institut Pasteur de Bangui, Bangui, Central African Republic. Electronic address: kamgang_d@yahoo.fr.
Basile
B
Kamgang
Epidemiology and Physiopathology of Oncogenic Viruses Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France. Electronic address: nicolas.berthet@pasteur.fr.
Nicolas
N
Berthet
Virology Department, Institut Pasteur de Bangui, Bangui, Central African Republic. Electronic address: vianney.tricou@gmail.com.
Vianney
V
Tricou
Virology Department, Institut Pasteur de Bangui, Bangui, Central African Republic. Electronic address: ngoagounic@yahoo.fr.
Carine
C
Ngoagouni
Epidemiology and Physiopathology of Oncogenic Viruses Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France. Electronic address: agessain@pasteur.fr.
Antoine
A
Gessain
Laboratory for Urgent Responses to Biological Threats, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France. Electronic address: jean-claude.manuguerra@pasteur.fr.
Jean-Claude
JC
Manuguerra
Virology Department, Institut Pasteur de Bangui, Bangui, Central African Republic. Electronic address: enakouney@gmail.com.
Emmanuel
E
Nakouné
Virology Department, Institut Pasteur de Bangui, Bangui, Central African Republic. Electronic address: mirdad.kazanji@pasteur.fr.
Mirdad
M
Kazanji
D000818:Animals; D002488:Central African Republic / Q000453:epidemiology; D065632:Chikungunya Fever / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*; D002646:Chikungunya virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors; D010802:Phylogeny; D011159:Population Surveillance; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics
D014764:Viral Proteins
Central African Republic; Chikungunya virus; Genetic variability