MedWorm: Chikungunya

Epidemiology, Clinical Manifestations, and Long-Term Outcomes of a Major Outbreak of Chikungunya in a Hamlet in Sri Lanka, in 2007: A Longitudinal Cohort Study

Clinical and Developmental Immunology — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:21:45 +0100

Chikungunya outbreaks occurred in the central province, Sri Lanka in 2006. This community-based study reports the epidemiology and the natural history of the infection from an affected village. Of the 199 families and 1001 individuals in the village, 159 (80%) and 513 (51%) were affected, respectively, comprising 237 (46%) males with peak incidence at 40–50 years. The acute illness caused polyarthritis in 233 (46%), and of them 230 (98%) progressed to chronic arthritic disability (CAD). Of the CAD patients, 102 (44%) had recovered in 141 days (range 30–210 days) from the disability state whilst 128 (56%) had persisting disability which lasted 12, 24, and 36 months in 41 (17.8%), 22 (9.5%), and 14 (6.1%) individuals, respectively. Carpal ...

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Genetic diversity of chikungunya virus, India 2006–2010: Evolutionary dynamics and serotype analyses

Journal of Medical Virology — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 07:19:36 +0100

AbstractThe genetic diversity of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) causing recurring outbreaks in India since 2006 was studied. The 2006 epidemic was caused by a virus strain of the East, Central and South African (ECSA) genotype with 226A in the E1 glycoprotein. The variant strain with E1‐A226V mutation caused outbreaks since 2007 in the state of Kerala where Aedes albopictus is the abundant mosquito vector. Molecular epidemiology data since 2007 is scarce from other regions of the country. RT‐PCR, sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of CHIKV isolates from the 2009 to 2010 epidemics in the States of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh placed them in a separate clade within the ECSA lineage. The isolates of the study had 226A in the E1 glycoprotein. The isolates had a novel E1‐K211E mutation that...

Novel Anti-Viral Immune Pathway Discovered In The Mosquito

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

As mosquito-borne viral diseases like West Nile fever, dengue fever, and chikungunya fever spread rapidly around the globe, scientists at Virginia Tech are working to understand the mosquito's immune system and how the viral pathogens that cause these diseases are able to overcome it to be transmitted to human and animal hosts. In nearly every part of the world, humans and animals experience high levels of morbidity and mortality after being bitten by mosquitoes infected with viruses... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Researchers discover novel anti-viral immune pathway in the mosquito

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Virginia Tech) Virginia Tech researchers have identified a novel anti-viral pathway in the immune system of culicine mosquitoes, the insect family to which mosquitoes that spread yellow fever, West Nile fever, dengue fever, and chikungunya fever belong. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Origin, evolution, and phylogeography of recent epidemic CHIKV strains.

Infection, Genetics and Evolution — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, we reconstructed the geographic spread of CHIKV during the last epidemic wave, which showed an eastward path from Africa to Indian Ocean island to India, and from there to other South East Asian countries. Whether A226V variants followed the same migration path remains undefined, since local independent mutations, followed by fixation due to selective advantage conferred by better adaptation to local vectors of infection, cannot be excluded. PMID: 22244786 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Infection, Genetics and Evolution)

Persistence of Viral RNA in Chikungunya Virus-Infected Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Mosquitoes after Prolonged Storage at 28{degrees}C.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study demonstrated the persistence of CHIKV viral RNA up to 12 weeks when stored at 28°C with RH 80 ± 5%. This finding will have significance in CHIKV surveillance programs in mosquito populations or field-based studies in countries where maintenance of a cold chain is a concern. PMID: 22232470 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene)

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Chikungunya and Dengue Fever among Hospitalized Febrile Patients in Northern Tanzania.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Hertz JT, Munishi OM, Ooi EE, Howe S, Lim WY, Chow A, Morrissey AB, Bartlett JA, Onyango JJ, Maro VP, Kinabo GD, Saganda W, Gubler DJ, Crump JA Abstract Abstract. Consecutive febrile admissions were enrolled at two hospitals in Moshi, Tanzania. Confirmed acute Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), Dengue virus (DENV), and flavivirus infection were defined as a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result. Presumptive acute DENV infection was defined as a positive anti-DENV immunoglobulin M (IgM) enzyme-linked immunsorbent assay (ELISA) result, and prior flavivirus exposure was defined as a positive anti-DENV IgG ELISA result. Among 870 participants, PCR testing was performed on 700 (80.5%). Of these, 55 (7.9%) had confirmed acute CHIKV infection, whereas no participants had confir...

Primary isolation and phylogenetic studies of chikungunya virus from surabaya, indonesia.

Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Mulyatno KC, Susilowati H, Yamanaka A, Soegijanto S, Konishi E PMID: 22274167 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases)

Chikungunya virus iridocyclitis in Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis

Indian Journal of Ophthalmology — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Kalpana Babu, Gowri Jaydev MurthyIndian Journal of Ophthalmology 2012 60(1):73-74 (Source: Indian Journal of Ophthalmology)

Chikungunya Vaccine Trial Begins to Enroll Participants

MedlinePlus Health News — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 06:21:43 +0100

Source: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Related MedlinePlus Pages: Traveler's Health, Viral Infections (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Characterization of Chikungunya virus infection in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells: Role of apoptosis in neuronal cell death.

Virus Research — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

This study suggested the implication of virus induced apoptosis in disease pathogenesis which may give a fresh insight for CHIKV induced neuronal cell damage and antiviral therapeutics. PMID: 22210004 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Virus Research)

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A Chikungunya Outbreak Associated with the Vector Aedes albopictus in Remote Villages of Gabon

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 04:18:08 +0100

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases)

Isolation and molecular characterization of Chikungunya virus from the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, India: evidence of an East, Central, and South African genotype

Canadian Journal of Microbiology — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:10:56 +0100

Canadian Journal of Microbiology, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 1073-1076, e-First articles. (Source: Canadian Journal of Microbiology)

Chikungunya virus outbreak in Kerala, India, 2007: a seroprevalence study.

Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kumar NP, Suresh A, Vanamail P, Sabesan S, Krishnamoorthy KG, Mathew J, Jose VT, Jambulingam P Abstract India was affected by a major outbreak of chikungunya fever caused by Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) during 2006-2007. Kerala was the worst affected state during 2007 with a contribution of 55.8% suspected cases in the country. However, except for clinically reported case records, no systematic information is available on infection status of CHIKV in the region. Hence, we carried out a post-epidemic survey to estimate seroprevalence status [immunoglobulin G (IgG)] in the community using commercially available indirect immunofluorescence test. This methodology had been reported to be highly specific and sensitive for CHIKV infection. The study area selected was the worst affec...

Impact of chikungunya virus infection on oral health status: An observational study

Table of Contents : Indian Journal of Dental Research : 2006 - 17(3) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Our findings showed that about more than half of the tested patients suffered severe pain and bleeding in the oral cavity thereby causing discomfort in chewing. About 1/3 patients had severe gingivitis and foul breath which caused discomfort in carrying out their day-to-day activities. (Source: Table of Contents : Indian Journal of Dental Research : 2006 - 17(3))

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Lancet seminar: Chikungunya

NeLM - News — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Source: Lancet Area: News Chikungunya is a virus transmitted by Aedes spp mosquitoes that is characterised by fever, headache, myalgia, rash, and both acute and persistent arthralgia. The disease can cause severe morbidity and, since 2005, fatality. In the past decade, it has re-emerged in Africa, southern and southeastern Asia, and the Indian Ocean Islands as the cause of large outbreaks of human disease. Though the disease is endemic to tropical regions, the spread of Aedes albopictus into Europe and the Americas coupled with high viraemia in infected travellers returning from endemic areas increases the risk that this virus could establish itself in new endemic regions. This Seminar focuses on the re-emergence of this disease, the clinical manifestations, pathogenesis of vir...

Molecular detection and characterization of West Nile virus associated with multifocal retinitis in patients from southern India

International Journal of Infectious Diseases — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The association of West Nile virus with ocular infection in South India during an epidemic of mysterious fever in the first half of 2010 was clearly established through molecular approaches employing envelope gene-specific real-time RT-PCR and RT-LAMP assays followed by nucleotide sequencing. (Source: International Journal of Infectious Diseases)

Rheumatic‐musculoskeletal pain and disorders in a naïve group of individuals 15 months following a Chikungunya viral epidemic in south India: a population based observational study

International Journal of Clinical Practice — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:02:30 +0100

Conclusions: Although a causal association could not be established, this study has unravelled a wide spectrum of unrecognised post‐CHIKV chronic RMSK disorders. Aetiopathogenesis and risk factors of chronicity need to be studied further. (Source: International Journal of Clinical Practice)

High levels of circulating IL‐6 and MCP‐1 with low level of IL‐8 is associated with severe Chikungunya fever during the 2009–2010 outbreak in Thailand.

Microbiology and Immunology — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

ABSTRACTThe recent outbreak of Chikungunya virus causes a rheumatic fever associating with considerable morbidity and fatalities. Thus, it is important to identify biomarker(s) of severe disease induced by this threatening arbovirus. Identification of the putative biomarkers was conducted in cases of chikungunya fever from an outbreak in the Southern part of Thailand during the 2009–2010. Sixty‐two patients who developed fever, myalgia, with or without arthralgia/arthritis were enrolled and grouped into severe/CHIKF (n = 15), mild/CHIKF (n = 20) and non‐CHIKF (n = 27) to investigate circulating immunological mediators that may serve as markers for severity. Blood samples were taken at presentation (day 1) and 30 days later (day 30) and plasma levels of IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐...

Evidence of acute rickettsioses among patients presumed to have chikungunya fever during the chikungunya outbreak in Sri Lanka

International Journal of Infectious Diseases — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The establishment of rapid diagnostic methods able to differentiate the etiological agents of fever and arthritis, such as CGF and rickettsioses, would be beneficial in endemic settings. (Source: International Journal of Infectious Diseases)

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Vector control versus case isolation for chikungunya

International Journal of Infectious Diseases — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

The recently published review on chikungunya virus in Asia (Chikungunya in Southeast Asia: understanding the emergence and finding solutions; Pulmanausahakul et al.) reports the current phylogenetic and pathological aspects of the explosive and ongoing re-emergence of this virus across continents. (Source: International Journal of Infectious Diseases)

Insights into the interplay between chikungunya virus and its human host

Future Virology — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 10:44:09 +0100

Future Virology , October 2011, Vol. 6, No. 10, Pages 1211-1223. (Source: Future Virology)

Poor diagnostic accuracy of commercial antibody-based assays for the diagnosis of acute chikungunya infection.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Blacksell SD, Tanganuchitcharnchai A, Jarman RG, Gibbons RV, Paris DH, Bailey MS, Day NP, Premaratna R, Lalloo DG, de Silva HJ Abstract A Sri Lankan fever cohort (n = 292 patients; 17.8% prevalence) was used to assess two standard diagnostic Chikungunya IgM tests. The immunochromatographic test (ICT) acute sample sensitivity (SN) was 1.9 to 3.9%, and specificity (SP) was 92.5 to 95.0%. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) gave an acute sample SN of 3.9% and an SP of 92.5% and a convalescent sample SN of 84% and an SP of 91%. These assays are not suitable for the acute diagnosis of Chikungunya virus infection. PMID: 21865416 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Clinical and Vaccine Immunology)

Recombinant CHIK virus E1 coat protein of 11 KDa with antigenic domains for the detection of Chikungunya.

Journal of Immunological Methods — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Yathi KK, Joseph JM, Bhasker S, Kumar R, Chinnamma M Abstract Chikungunya is an acute febrile illness caused by an alpha virus technically called as CHIK virus. A smaller size of CHIK virus E1 coat protein -11 kDa was expressed in prokaryotic expression system. The recombinant protein was purified and confirmed by western blot analysis. The positions of the antigenic domain in the protein were identified and the immunoreactivity of recombinant protein with anti-CHIK IgM antibodies was ascertained. The antigen showed an 88% sensitivity and 100% specificity by Indirect ELISA. No cross reactivity of the antigen was observed with anti-Dengue virus serum samples. The results strongly support that the recombinant CHIK coat protein could be used as a diagnostic antigen for the de...

Perennial impression of an emerging arbovirus on the epidemiology of rheumatic diseases in South India: Insights from the COPCORD study

Journal of Postgraduate Medicine — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

A Rahim, AJ MathewJournal of Postgraduate Medicine 2011 57(3):226-228Are rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases (RMSD) given their due recognition by the medical fraternity and policy makers in India today? Focus on lifestyle diseases has taken away the importance of morbidity caused by musculoskeletal pain, which is one of the commonest ailments in the community. Poor awareness in general regarding the upcoming field of rheumatology and lack of proper data regarding these diseases in the country are the primary causes for this debacle. The epidemiology of RMSD in the country is fast changing, especially in the wake of viral epidemics, which leave their mark for months and years together. This view point emphasizes the burden of RMSD by highlighting the findings of two Community Oriente...

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Arbovirus high fidelity variant loses fitness in mosquitoes and mice [Microbiology]

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

The error rate of RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRp) affects the mutation frequency in a population of viral RNAs. Using chikungunya virus (CHIKV), we describe a unique arbovirus fidelity variant with a single C483Y amino acid change in the nsP4 RdRp that increases replication fidelity and generates populations with reduced genetic diversity. In mosquitoes, high fidelity CHIKV presents lower infection and dissemination titers than wild type. In newborn mice, high fidelity CHIKV produces truncated viremias and lower organ titers. These results indicate that increased replication fidelity and reduced genetic diversity negatively impact arbovirus fitness in invertebrate and vertebrate hosts. (Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)

Phylogeny and homologous recombination in Chikungunya viruses.

Infection, Genetics and Evolution — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

In this study, phylogenetic and recombination analyses were performed on 122 complete CHIKV genomes. Three major phylogroups were identified which included West African genotype (group I); Asian genotype (group II) as well as ESCA and Indian Ocean genotype (group III). The latter was divided into three subgroups: East/South/Central African subgroup (IIIa and b) and Indian Ocean and Asian subgroup (IIIc). Re-emerging of the CHIKV in Asian countries gave rise to a novel subgroup. Two potential recombination events were found; nevertheless, neither of both was supported by further phylogenetic and statistical analyses. The data refine the phylogeny of the currently available CHIKVs and homologous recombination did not contribute to the genetic diversity of these viruses. PMID: 21925290 [P...

Chikungunya triggers an autophagic process which promotes viral replication

Virology Journal — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Taken together, our results suggest that autophagy may play a promoting role in ChikV replication. Investigating in details the relationship between autophagy and viral replication will greatly improve our knowledge of the pathogenesis of ChikV and provide insight for the design of candidate antiviral therapeutics. (Source: Virology Journal)

Dengue vs. Chikungunya: Joint Pain is Key

Rheumatology News — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

VAIL, COLO. – Dengue fever and chikungunya have much in common in terms of symptoms, incubation period, clinical course, vector, and geographical distribution. A good way to distinguish the two tropical fevers involves presenting symptoms: Dengue plus arthritis equals chikungunya, Dr. Jay S. Keystone said at the conference. (Source: Rheumatology News)

Utility of multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction for diagnosis and serotypic characterization of dengue and chikungunya viruses in clinical samples

Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract: The reemergence of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has compounded the already existing dengue problem because of clinical similarities and common vector, demanding the need for a rapid and specific diagnosis. Thus, dengue chikungunya multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (DCmRT-PCR) was developed and validated for simultaneous detection of dengue and chikungunya viral infections and its utility in virus serotyping. Blood samples from 97 suspected dengue and chikungunya cases and 10 healthy controls were subjected to dengue and chikungunya conventional RT-PCR and DCmRT-PCR. Thirty-one of 97 samples were positive for dengue or chikungunya viral RNA by RT-PCR and DCmRT-PCR with 100% concordance. DCmRT-PCR products were cycle sequenced. Seven dengue virus strains were c...

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Poor diagnostic accuracy of commercial antibody-based assays for the acute diagnosis of Chikungunya infection.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Blacksell SD, Tanganuchitcharnchai A, Jarman RG, Gibbons RV, Paris DH, Bailey MS, Day NP, Premaratna R, Lalloo DG, de Silva J Abstract A Sri Lankan fever cohort (n=292; 17.8% prevalence) assessed two Standard Diagnostics Chikungunya IgM tests. The ICT acute sample sensitivity (Sn) was 1.9-3.9% and specificity (Sp) 92.5-95.0%. The ELISA gave acute sample Sn 3.9% and Sp 92.5% and convalescent sample Sn 84% and Sp 91%. These assays are not suitable for the acute diagnosis of Chikungunya. PMID: 21865416 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical and Vaccine Immunology)

Host response to Chikungunya virus and perspectives for immune-based therapies

Future Virology — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 15:08:52 +0100

Future Virology , August 2011, Vol. 6, No. 8, Pages 975-984. (Source: Future Virology)

Preparation For Clinical Trials Of New Experimental Vaccine Against Chikungunya Virus

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 08:00:00 +0100

Researchers have developed a new candidate vaccine to protect against chikungunya virus, a mosquito-borne pathogen that produces an intensely painful and often chronic arthritic disease that has stricken millions of people in India, Southeast Asia and Africa. A single dose of the experimental vaccine protected lab mice from infection with the virus, according to a paper published online in the journal PLoS Pathogens by researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Inviragen, Inc., of Ft... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Cutaneous Manifestations of Chikungunya Fever.

Indian Pediatrics — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Seetharam KA, Sridevi K, Vidyasagar P Abstract Chikungunya fever, a reemerging RNA viral infection produces different cutaneous manifestations in children compared to adults. 52 children with chikungunya fever, confirmed by positive IgM antibody test were seen during 2009-2010. Pigmentary lesions were common (27/52) followed by vesiculobullous lesions (16/52) and maculopapular lesions (14/52). Vesiculobullous lesions were most common in infants, although rarely reported in adults. Psoriasis was exacerbated in 4 children resulting in more severe forms. In 2 children, guttate psoriasis was observed for the first time. PMID: 21992863 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Indian Pediatrics)

Chikungunya Virus Vaccine

Disabled World — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 21:45:02 +0100

Researchers create new experimental vaccine against chikungunya virus - NIH awards $3 million to prepare for clinical trials; developers hope vaccine will alleviate suffering caused by mosquito-borne virus in Asia and Africa and limit its spread. (Source: Disabled World)

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New experimental vaccine against chikungunya virus created

ScienceDaily Headlines — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:09:09 +0100

Researchers create new experimental vaccine against chikungunya virus

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston) Researchers have developed a new candidate vaccine to protect against chikungunya virus, a mosquito-borne pathogen that produces an intensely painful and often chronic arthritic disease that has stricken millions of people in India, Southeast Asia and Africa. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Role of Proinflammatory Cytokines and Chemokines in Chronic Arthropathy in CHIKV Infection

Viral Immunology — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 15:12:24 +0100

Viral Immunology Aug 2011, Vol. 24, No. 4: 265-271. (Source: Viral Immunology)

Anatomy of a Mosquito-Borne Outbreak

Scientific American - Official RSS Feed — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:00:00 +0100

Chikungunya is a scary-sounding virus with some scary symptoms: joint pain so excruciating that patients often can’t stand or even sit upright for months. The mosquito-borne virus got its start thousands of years ago in southeastern Africa, where it generally caused a slow but steady stream of cases. About 50 years ago a mild strain of the virus spread to Asia. Then, following a drought in Kenya in 2004, cases of chikungunya in Africa soared and spread eastward across the Indian Ocean, causing severe disease and affecting hundreds of thousands of people across Asia.This new strain of chikungunya is apparently replacing the older, milder strains that previously circulated in Asia. But how? In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA , researchers ha...

Case reports of neuro-chikungunya in southern Thailand.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Chusri S, Siripaitoon P, Hirunpat S, Silpapojakul K Abstract. There has been a recent increase in reports of neurologic complications as major causes of morbidity and mortality in chikungunya virus infection. As a part of 2004-2009 global outbreaks, an unprecedented large chikungunya epidemic occurred in Southern Thailand during 2008-2009 in which 49,069 cases were reported. During this period, we encountered two patients with meningoencephalitis and another patient with myeloneuropathy among 1,018 cases diagnosed as chikungunya in our hospital. The clinical pictures are presented and the key points are used to recognize and differentiate chikungunya from Japanese encephalitis virus, dengue virus, and herpesvirus infections, which are more common causes of meningoencephalitis ...

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Chikungunya virus adaptation to Aedes albopictus mosquitoes does not correlate with acquisition of cholesterol dependence or decreased pH threshold for fusion reaction

Virology Journal — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

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The invaders: Phylogeography of dengue and chikungunya viruses Aedes vectors, on the South West islands of the Indian Ocean.

Infection, Genetics and Evolution — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Delatte H, Bagny L, Brengue C, Bouetard A, Paupy C, Fontenille D Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti are the two main worldwide arbovirus vectors that have experienced invasion phases. Aedes aegypti is a pantropical species that spread centuries ago whereas Ae. albopictus started the main wave of invasion in the 1980s. Both species have been at various times on the different islands in Southwestern Indian Ocean (SWIO). This area provides an opportunity to examine the extent to which mosquitoes colonization patterns are influenced by different introductory events likely linked with human settlement and migration between the islands. To explore this hypothesis, we propose a CO1-based phylogeny using a large sampling of fresh Ae. albopictus, Ae. aegypti, and Ae. mascarensis, and 5...

Comparative efficacy of two poeciliid fish in indoor cement tanks against chikungunya vector Aedes aegypti in villages in Karnataka, India

BMC Public Health - Latest articles — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

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Class II enveloped viruses

Cellular Microbiology — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

ABSTRACTA number of viruses transport their genomic material from cell to cell enclosed within a lipid bilayer that is in turn encased within a symmetric protein shell. This review focuses in a group of RNA viruses that have this type of virions. This group includes several of important human pathogenic viruses, such as the hepatitis C virus, dengue virus, chikungunya virus, rubella virus, and the bunyaviruses. The best studied are the flaviviruses and the alphaviruses, which have a β‐sheet rich class II viral fusion protein used for entry into susceptible cells. We extend here the class II concept to encompass symmetric viruses in which the envelope proteins are derived from a precursor polyprotein containing two transmembrane glycoproteins arranged in tandem. The first glycoprotein ac...

Chikungunya in Southeast Asia: understanding the emergence and finding solutions

International Journal of Infectious Diseases — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Summary: In the last few years, chikungunya has become a major problem in Southeast Asia, with large numbers of cases being reported in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. Much of the current epidemic of chikungunya in Southeast Asia is being driven by the emergence of a strain of chikungunya virus that originated in Africa and spread to islands in the Indian Ocean, as well as to India and Sri Lanka, and then onwards to Southeast Asia. There is currently no specific treatment for chikungunya and no vaccine is available for this disease. This review seeks to provide a short update on the reemergence of chikungunya in Southeast Asia and the prospects for control of this disease. (Source: International Journal of Infectious Diseases)

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Recombinant CHIK virus E1 coat protein of 11KDa with antigenic domains for the detection of Chikungunya.

Journal of Immunological Methods — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Yathi KK, Joseph JM, Bhasker S, Kumar R, Chinnamma M Chikungunya is an acute febrile illness caused by an alpha virus technically called as CHIK virus. A smaller size of CHIK virus E1 coat protein -11kDa was expressed in prokaryotic expression system. The recombinant protein was purified and confirmed by western blot analysis. The positions of the antigenic domain in the protein were identified and the immunoreactivity of recombinant protein with anti-CHIK IgM antibodies was ascertained. The antigen showed an 88% sensitivity and 100% specificity by Indirect ELISA. No cross reactivity of the antigen was observed with anti-Dengue virus serum samples. The results strongly support that the recombinant CHIK coat protein could be used as a diagnostic antigen for the detection of Chi...

Critical role for macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in Ross River virus-induced arthritis and myositis [Medical Sciences]

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Arthrogenic alphaviruses, such as Ross River virus (RRV), chikungunya, Sindbis, mayaro and o'nyong-nyong viruses circulate endemically worldwide, frequently causing outbreaks of polyarthritis. The exact mechanisms of how alphaviruses induce polyarthritis remain ill defined, although macrophages are known to play a key role. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is an important cytokine involved in rheumatoid arthritis pathogenesis. Here, we characterize the role of MIF in alphavirus–induced arthritides using a mouse model of RRV-induced arthritis, which has many characteristics of RRV disease in humans. RRV-infected WT mice developed severe disease associated with up-regulated MIF expression in serum and tissues, which corresponded to severe inflammation and tissue damage. MIF-def...

Functional processing and secretion of Chikungunya virus E1 and E2 glycoproteins in insect cells

Virology Journal — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Chikungunya virus glycoproteins could be functionally expressed at high levels in insect cells and are properly glycosylated and cleaved by furin. The ability of purified, secreted CHIKV-E2 to induce neutralizing antibodies in rabbits underscores the potential use of E2 in a subunit vaccine to prevent CHIKV infections. (Source: Virology Journal)

Replication of Alphaviruses: A Review on the Entry Process of Alphaviruses into Cells

PPAR Research — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 14:08:39 +0100

Alphaviruses are small, enveloped viruses, ~70 nm in diameter, containing a single-stranded, positive-sense, RNA genome. Viruses belonging to this genus are predominantly arthropod-borne viruses, known to cause disease in humans. Their potential threat to human health was most recently exemplified by the 2005 Chikungunya virus outbreak in La Reunion, highlighting the necessity to understand events in the life-cycle of these medically important human pathogens. The replication and propagation of viruses is dependent on entry into permissive cells. Viral entry is initiated by attachment of virions to cells, leading to internalization, and uncoating to release genetic material for replication and propagation. Studies on alphaviruses have revealed entry via a receptor-mediated, end...

Congo-Brazzaville: Chikungunya Spreads to Pool Region

AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 13:21:04 +0100

An epidemic of Chikungunya, a mosquito-borne viral disease, which began in early June in Congo's capital Brazzaville, has spread to the neighbouring Pool region, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). (Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine)

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Vector competence of new zealand mosquitoes for selected arboviruses.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kramer LD, Chin P, Cane RP, Kauffman EB, Mackereth G Abstract. New Zealand (NZ) historically has been free of arboviral activity with the exception of Whataroa virus (Togaviridae: Alphavirus), which is established in bird populations and is transmitted by local mosquitoes. This naive situation is threatened by global warming, invasive mosquitoes, and tourism. To determine the threat of selected medically important arboviruses to NZ, vector competence assays were conducted using field collected endemic and introduced mosquito species. Four alphaviruses (Togaviridae): Barmah Forest virus, Chikungunya virus, Ross River virus, and Sindbis virus, and five flaviviruses (Flaviviridae): Dengue virus 2, Japanese encephalitis virus, Murray Valley encephalitis virus, West Nile virus, and...

Serologic Evidence of Arboviral Infections among Humans in Kenya.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Sutherland LJ, Cash AA, Huang YJ, Sang RC, Malhotra I, Moormann AM, King CL, Weaver SC, King CH, Labeaud AD Abstract. Outbreaks of arthropod-borne viral infections occur periodically across Kenya. However, limited surveillance takes place during interepidemic periods. Using serum samples obtained from asymptomatic persons across Kenya in 2000-2004, we assessed (by indirect immunofluorescent assay) prevalence of IgG against yellow fever virus (YFV), West Nile virus (WNV), tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), dengue virus serotypes 1-4 (DENV1-4), and chikungunya virus (CHIKV). Older persons on the Indian Ocean coast were more likely to be seropositive than children inland: YFV = 42% versus 6%, WNV = 29% versus 6%, TBEV = 16% versus 6%, DENV-1 = 63% versus 9%, DENV-2 = 67% versu...

Hand hygiene and infection control survey pre- and peri-H1N1-2009 pandemic: knowledge and perceptions of final year medical students in Singapore.

Singapore Medical Journal — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The 2009 H1N1 pandemic made little impact on medical students' knowledge and practice of infection control. Nonetheless, their responses have suggested avenues for improving infection control practice, including persuading senior clinicians to lead by example in hand hygiene practice and addressing gaps in knowledge on patient isolation policies. PMID: 21808958 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Singapore Medical Journal)

Mucocutaneous manifestations of chikungunya fever: A study from an epidemic in coastal Karnataka

Indian Journal of Dermatology — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion : wide spectrum of mucocutaneous manifestations is observed in CF. We have provided a classification for these manifestations, which may help in better recognition and uniform recording in future. (Source: Indian Journal of Dermatology)

Disease outbreak hits Congo capital

Health News - UPI.com — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 00:22:03 +0100

BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of the Congo, June 20 (UPI) -- Health officials in the Congo have reported an outbreak of Chikungunya, a mosquito-borne disease similar to dengue fever, in parts of the capital Brazzaville. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

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Latest Dengue Bulletin Released By World Health Organization

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 09:00:00 +0100

The ten studies in this special issue document the substantial and growing burden of dengue in the Americas, Africa and Asia, and the burden of a chikungunya outbreak in India. Luiz Tadeu Moraes Figuedo's paper on dengue in Brazil confirms the country's worsening trend; from 1999-2009, where cases rose at 6.2% per year and dengue deaths at 12.0% per year. Carmen Perez and co-workers, reporting on dengue vector control in Puerto Rico, found that 83% of the costs ($1.97 per person per year) were funded by the lowest and often the least financed level of government: municipalities... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

World Health Organization releases latest Dengue Bulletin

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Brandeis University) Dengue, the mosquito-transmitted illness, affects all economic groups -- not only in South East Asia, but in the Americas and Africa. The 10 original papers in this special issue present a series of approaches and findings to contribute to measuring the cost and burden of dengue and chikungunya. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

In Vivo Imaging of Chikungunya Virus in Mice and Aedes Mosquitoes Using a Renilla Luciferase Clone

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 03:03:23 +0100

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases)

Congo-Brazzaville: Outbreak of Dengue-Like Viral Disease

AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:08:00 +0100

Almost 1,000 suspected cases of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne viral disease that causes fever and severe joint pain, have been recorded in the Republic of Congo's capital over the past two weeks. (Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine)

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Arthritis after infection with Chikungunya virus

Best Practice and Research. Clinical Rheumatology — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an emerging alphavirus responsible for several infectious outbreaks in the world. After an acute stage of illness characterised by a fever–arthralgia syndrome and rash, joint disorders due to CHIKV infection can sometimes persist for several months or years. Chronic arthritis after this emerging disease is well documented, and similarities to rheumatoid arthritis have been described. Knowledge of the geographical epidemiology of CHIKV infection is crucial for better control of the disease. Thus, recent outbreaks have led to several studies, which have highlighted the need for a better understanding of the clinical features of Chikungunya (CHIK) and beginning knowledge of the pathophysiogenesis, which can lead to further research. (Source: Best Practice and Re...

Transmission Potential of Two Chimeric Chikungunya Vaccine Candidates in the Urban Mosquito Vectors, Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Tue, 31 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Darwin JR, Kenney JL, Weaver SC Abstract. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an emerging, mosquito-borne alphavirus that has caused major epidemics in Africa and Asia. We developed chimeric vaccine candidates using the non-structural protein genes of either Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) attenuated vaccine strain TC-83 or a naturally attenuated strain of eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) and the structural genes of CHIKV. Because the transmission of genetically modified live vaccine strains is undesirable because of the potentially unpredictable evolution of these viruses as well as the potential for reversion, we evaluated the ability of these vaccines to infect the urban CHIKV vectors, Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus. Both vaccine candidates exhibited signific...

Entomological study of chikungunya infections in the State of Kelantan, Malaysia.

Indian J Med Res — Tue, 31 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Rozilawati H, Faudzi AY, Siti Rahidah AA, Nor Azlina AH, Abdullah AG, Amal NM, Mansor HW, Hani H, Apandi Y, Noor F, , Nazni WA, Zairi J, Lee HL Background & objectives: Chikungunya infection has become a public health threat in Malaysia since the 2008 nationwide outbreaks. Aedes albopictus Skuse has been identified as the chikungunya vector in Johor State during the outbreaks. In 2009, several outbreaks had been reported in the State of Kelantan. Entomological studies were conducted in Kelantan in four districts, namely Jeli, Tumpat, Pasir Mas and Tanah Merah to identify the vector responsible for the virus transmission. Methods: CHIKV cases records were obtained from State Health Department, Kelantan and localities involved were identified. Larva survey was conducted to c...

[Newsdesk] Infectious disease surveillance update

The Lancet Infectious Diseases — Tue, 24 May 2011 17:44:30 +0100

17 cases of Chikungunya virus infection have been reported for the first time in New Caledonia since March, 2011. An epidemy has not been declared. 16 of 17 cases were confined to the port town of Noumea, but the one case outside this town might indicate the spread of the disease. The state of Polynesia is implementing health surveillance, with distribution of brochures to flight passengers departing from Noumea containing information about symptoms. A mosquito control programme has also been implemented with aircarfts departing from Noumea being sprayed with insecticides. (Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases)

Travel-related infections on the rise

HealthcareRepublic Pharmacist News — Fri, 20 May 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Cases of dengue fever and chikungunya imported to the UK rose sharply last year, Health Protection Agency (HPA) figures have revealed. (Source: HealthcareRepublic Pharmacist News)

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First evidence of chikungunya virus infection in Assam, Northeast India

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Thu, 19 May 2011 22:55:57 +0100

Summary: During June-September 2008, an illness characterized by fever, headache and joint pain was reported in Assam state, northeast India. It presented characteristic features resembling chikungunya or dengue virus infection based on clinical symptoms. Dengue and chikungunya IgM antibody was detected in 10.0% (28/280) and 3.6% (10/280) patients respectively. The chikungunya positive patients did not travel to and from any endemic region confirming indigenous transmission. Persistent arthralgia and hearing loss has been observed in a recovered patient. Entomological surveys revealed the presence of vectors viz. Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. This is the maiden report of chikungunya occurrence in Northeast India. (Source: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hyg...

Cell-based analysis of Chikungunya virus membrane fusion using baculovirus-expression vectors.

Journal of Virological Methods — Mon, 16 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kuo SC, Chen YJ, Wang YM, Kuo MD, Jinn TR, Chen WS, Chang YC, Tung KL, Wu TY, Lo SJ Chikungunya virus infection has emerged in many countries over the past decade. There are no effective drugs for controlling the disease. To develop cell-based system for screening anti-virus drugs, a bi-cistronic baculovirus expression system was utilized to co-express viral structural proteins C (capsid), E2 and E1 and the enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) in Spodoptera frugiperda insect cells (Sf21). The EGFP-positive Sf21 cells fused with each other and with uninfected cells to form a syncytium, allowing characterization of cholesterol and low pH requirements for syncytium formation. Western blot analysis showed three structural proteins were expressed in baculovirus infected cells...

Could new antibodies be key to treating Chikungunya?

Future Medicine: Therapy — Mon, 16 May 2011 13:12:16 +0100

Therapy , May 2011, Vol. 8, No. 3, Pages 285-287. (Source: Future Medicine: Therapy)

Insecticide susceptibility of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in Central Africa.

Parasites and Vectors — Sat, 14 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: In view of the recent increase in dengue and chikungunya outbreaks in Central Africa, these unique comparative data on the insecticide susceptibility of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus could help public health services to design more effective vector control measures. (Source: Parasites and Vectors)

Dengue Fever Cases Double Among UK Travellers

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 12 May 2011 09:00:00 +0100

Reports of dengue fever, a mosquito-borne infection, have more than doubled in UK travellers from 166 reported cases in 2009 to 406 in 2010, according to new figures from the Health Protection Agency (HPA). Dengue fever does not occur in the UK and the highest proportion of cases were associated with travel to India - 84 cases (21 per cent) and Thailand - 61 cases (15 per cent). This increase in dengue reports is coupled with a 34 percent rise in the number of reported cases of chikungunya, another mosquito borne infection, which rose from 59 cases in 2009 to 79 in 2010... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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HPA figures suggest doubling in number of Dengue fever cases among UK travellers

NeLM - News — Wed, 11 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Source: Health Protection Agency (HPA) Area: News According to new figures from the Health Protection Agency (HPA), reports of dengue fever, a mosquito-borne infection, have more than doubled in UK travellers from 166 reported cases in 2009 to 406 in 2010. The highest proportion of cases were associated with travel to India (84 cases [21%] and Thailand (61 cases [15%]). This increase in dengue reports is coupled with a 34% rise in the number of reported cases of chikungunya, another mosquito borne infection, which rose from 59 cases in 2009 to 79 in 2010. Nearly 50% of these cases were associated with travel to India. Neither disease is spread from person to person but only through the bite of an infected mosquito; the ones that spread dengue and chikungunya bite in ...

Chikungunya virus emergence is constrained in Asia by lineage-specific adaptive landscapes [Evolution]

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — Mon, 09 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Adaptation of RNA viruses to a new host or vector species often results in emergence of new viral lineages. However, lineage-specific restrictions on the adaptive processes remain largely unexplored. Recently, a Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) lineage of African origin emerged to cause major epidemics of severe, persistent, debilitating arthralgia in Africa and Asia. Surprisingly, this new lineage is actively replacing endemic strains in Southeast Asia that have been circulating there for 60 y. This replacement process is associated with adaptation of the invasive CHIKV strains to an atypical vector, the Aedes albopictus mosquito that is ubiquitously distributed in the region. Here we demonstrate that lineage-specific epistatic interactions between substitutions at amino acid positions 226 and 9...

Probing Genetics Of Chikungunya Virus Identifies Tiny Changes Separating Epidemic African Strain And Tamer Asian Variety

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 06 May 2011 09:00:00 +0100

What causes a virus to suddenly begin infecting large numbers of people? Scientists have long known that the process they call "viral emergence" involves a wide variety of factors. Some are changes in the environment, either generated by natural causes or human activity. Others are internal, arising from accidental changes - mutations - in the virus' genetic code. Studying such mutations in different strains of the chikungunya virus has helped University of Texas Medical Branch researchers solve one of the most puzzling mysteries of chikungunya's emergence in Asia... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Wolbachia and the biological control of mosquito-borne disease

EMBO Reports AOP — Thu, 05 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Iñaki Iturbe-Ormaetxe, Thomas Walker & Scott L O' Neill (Source: EMBO Reports AOP)

Anatomy of an outbreak: Tiny changes in chikungunya virus separate epidemic African strain and tamer Asian variety

ScienceDaily Headlines — Thu, 05 May 2011 22:15:15 +0100

Researchers have found a genetic solution to the puzzle of why the chikungunya virus infected millions of people after it was introduced to Asia in 2005, but infected almost no one after an earlier Asian introduction. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

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Anatomy of an outbreak

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Thu, 05 May 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston) Researchers have found a genetic solution to the puzzle of why the chikungunya virus infected millions of people after it was introduced to Asia in 2005 but infected almost no one after an earlier Asian introduction. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Chikungunya virus, southeastern france.

Emerging Infectious Diseases — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Grandadam M, Caro V, Plumet S, Thiberge JM, Souares Y, Failloux AB, Tolou HJ, Budelot M, Cosserat D, Leparc-Goffart I, Despres P In September 2010, autochthonous transmission of chikungunya virus was recorded in southeastern France, where the Aedes albopictus mosquito vector is present. Sequence analysis of the viral genomes of imported and autochthonous isolates indicated new features for the potential emergence and spread of the virus in Europe. PMID: 21529410 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases)

Treatment practices & laboratory investigations during chikungunya outbreaks in South India.

Indian J Med Res — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Murhekar MV, Manickam P, Kumar RM, Bala Ganesakumar SR, Ramachandran V, Ramakrishnan R, Kumaraswami V PMID: 21623042 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Indian J Med Res)

Travel‐related imported infections in Europe, EuroTravNet 2009

Clinical Microbiology and Infection — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: This is the most comprehensive study of travel related illness in Europe in 2009 compared to 2008. A significant increase in travel‐related respiratory and vector‐borne infections was observed highlighting the potential risk for introduction of these diseases in Europe where competent vectors are present. Travellers’ deaths are probably underestimated. The possible role of the travelers in the emergence of infectious diseases of public health concern is highlighted. (Source: Clinical Microbiology and Infection)

First Detection of a Putative Knockdown Resistance Gene in Major Mosquito Vector, Aedes albopictus.

Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kasai S, Ng LC, Lam-Phua SG, Tang CS, Itokawa K, Komagata O, Kobayashi M, Tomita T The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Skuse), is the major vector of Chikungunya fever and the secondary vector of dengue fever. We collected Ae. albopictus from Singapore and performed genotyping assay to detect mutations of the voltage-gated sodium channel, which is the target site of pyrethroid insecticides. We detected an amino acid substitution, F1534C, which is suspected to confer knockdown resistance (kdr) to pyrethroid insecticides. Of the collected mosquitoes, 53.8% were homozygous for this mutation, and the allele frequency of this mutation was estimated to be 73.1%. No kdr mutation was detected in the 5 other loci of domains II and IV. This is the first evidence for the presence...

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Seeking A Chikungunya Vaccine: Project To Develop New Method Of Testing Potential Vaccines

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 11:00:00 +0100

It is spread to humans by mosquito bites, causing arthritic symptoms so severe that some victims can't even walk. While rarely fatal, the effects of the chikungunya virus can last up to a year. More than two million people have contracted the chikungunya virus in the past five years. Most of the infections have occurred in Southeast Asia, but infectious disease experts consider its spread to the United States likely because of global travel. With no vaccine available for this debilitating virus, federal health and security officials have targeted it as a possible bioterrorism agent... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Chikungunya Virus, Southeastern France, M. Grandadam et al.

Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 19:00:00 +0100

(Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal)

Chikungunya disease and chloroquine treatment

Journal of Medical Virology — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 15:57:53 +0100

(Source: Journal of Medical Virology)

A diverse range of gene products are effectors of the type I interferon antiviral response

Nature AOP — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: John W. Schoggins, Sam J. Wilson, Maryline Panis, Mary Y. Murphy, Christopher T. Jones, Paul Bieniasz & Charles M. Rice The type I interferon response protects cells against invading viral pathogens. The cellular factors that mediate this defence are the products of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). Although hundreds of ISGs have been identified since their discovery more than 25 years ago, only a few have been characterized with respect to antiviral activity. For most ISG products, little is known about their antiviral potential, their target specificity and their mechanisms of action. Using an overexpression screening approach, here we show that different viruses are targeted by unique sets of ISGs. We find that each viral species is susceptible to multiple antiviral genes...

Chikungunya Virus Infection

Current Infectious Disease Reports — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 09:47:48 +0100

Abstract Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an alphavirus transmitted by mosquitoes, mostly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. After half a century of focal outbreaks of acute febrile polyarthralgia in Africa and Asia, the disease unexpectedly spread in the past decade with large outbreaks in Africa and around the Indian Ocean and rare autochthonous transmission in temperate areas. This emergence brought new insights on its pathogenesis, notably the role of the A226V mutation that improved CHIKV fitness in Ae. albopictus and the possible CHIKV persistence in deep tissue sanctuaries for months after infection. Massive outbreaks also revealed new aspects of the acute stage: the high number of symptomatic cases, unexpected complications, mother-to-child transmission, and low lethal...

Trends in Imported Chikungunya Virus Infections in Germany, 2006–2009

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 16:51:43 +0100

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases)

Chikungunya infection: A new trigger for psoriasis

The Journal of Dermatology — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100

(Source: The Journal of Dermatology)

In vitro antiviral activity of arbidol against Chikungunya virus and characteristics of a selected resistant mutant.

Antiviral Research — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Delogu I, Pastorino B, Baronti C, Nougairède A, Bonnet E, de Lamballerie X Arbidol (ARB) is an antiviral drug originally licensed in Russia for use against influenza and other respiratory viral infections. Although a broad-spectrum antiviral activity has been reported for this drug, there is until now no data regarding its effects against alphavirus infection. Here, the in vitro antiviral effect of ARB on Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) replication was investigated and this compound was found to present potent inhibitory activity against the virus propagated onto immortalized Vero cells or primary human fibroblasts (MRC-5 lung cells) (IC(50)<10μg/ml). A CHIKV resistant mutant was then selected and adapted to growth in the presence of 30μg/ml ARB in MRC5 cells; its complete seq...

Emerging Viral Infections in Rheumatic Diseases

Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Rheumatologists need to be cognizant of the changing landscape of emerging viral pathogens as they may present with myriad clinical features. Recognition of these pathogens is important to guide correct treatment and prognosis. Given the current scenario of global epidemiologic factors that influence viral emergence, we should expect a growing number of future emerging pathogens. Ongoing research directed at understanding pathogenesis and transmission as well as developing better preventive strategies may help counter the threat posed by emerging pathogens. (Source: Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism)

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Chikungunya, The key role of "innate immunity"

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:00:00 +0100

Chikungunya is transmitted by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes. The disease is spreading in the world and periodically sparks new outbreaks. Africa, Asia, the Indian Ocean and even Southern Europe are now affected. The viral infection can be expressed in many different ways. Patients can suffer forms ranging from a simple fever to severe pain in the joints. This high variability in symptoms arises from the variability of humans' individual immune defence systems... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Chikungunya: The key role of 'innate immunity'

ScienceDaily Headlines — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 15:52:52 +0100

Chikungunya is transmitted by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes. The disease is spreading in the world and periodically sparks new outbreaks. Blood analyses conducted during the 2007 Gabonese epidemic recently showed the key role of innate immunity, the organism's first line of defense, in the clinical course of the infection. Control of the disease thus closely depends on the underlying configuration of each patient's immune system. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Assessing the Spreading Patterns of Dengue Infection and Chikungunya Fever Outbreaks in Lower Southern Thailand Using a Geographic Information System

Annals of Epidemiology — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 21:02:59 +0100

Conclusions: The combination of surveillance and geographic information system data of DEN and CHIK can be used to determine the speed and direction of disease spread. DEN is endemic, but CHIK is an emerging disease. Because of the rapid spread of CHIK, strict and timely integrated vector control programs after case notification must be implemented. (Source: Annals of Epidemiology)

Chikungunya virus: host pathogen interaction

Reviews in Medical Virology — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

AbstractChikungunya is a re‐emerging arthropod‐borne viral disease caused by Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) belonging to the Togaviridae family of genus Alphavirus. It is a virus with a single stranded, positive sense RNA, as its genome. It is maintained in a sylvatic and urban cycle involving humans and the mosquito species Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. It has garnered the attention of scientists in the past 5–6 years due to the massive outbreaks in the Indian Ocean region in 2005–2006. It has a major health impact on humans as it causes fever, rashes, arthralgia and myalgia. Polyarthralgia is the most important feature of CHIKV infection which primarily affects the small joints of the wrists and fingers along with the large joints like shoulders and knees. Currently, there are n...

[Emergent viral threats in blood transfusion.]

Transfusion Clinique et Biologique — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Pozzetto B, Garraud O During the last 20 years, the safety of blood products increased dramatically with regard to the infectious risk and notably to that represented by retroviruses (HIV and HTLV) and hepatitis B and C viruses. The aim of this review is to identify the residual and emergent viral threats that could be responsible for the occurring of new contaminations in the receivers of blood products. Beside many other viruses (HHV-8, erythrovirus B19, hepatitis A and E viruses…), a special attention has been paid to emerging arbovirus diseases (West Nile virus infection, dengue, chikungunya) that threaten to occur in the French metropolitan area following the implantation in Europe of the mosquito Aedes albopictus, the main vector of dengue and chikungunya in temperate...

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Entomological Investigation and Control of a Chikungunya Cluster in Singapore

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 16:45:15 +0100

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases)

Assessing the spreading patterns of dengue infection and chikungunya Fever outbreaks in lower southern Thailand using a geographic information system.

Annals of Epidemiology — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 19:45:33 +0100

Authors: Ditsuwan T, Liabsuetrakul T, Chongsuvivatwong V, Thammapalo S, McNeil E The aims of this study were to assess the incidence of dengue infection (DEN) and chikungunya fever (CHIK) and determine the direction and speed of CHIK between August 2008 and June 2009 in lower southern Thailand. PMID: 21376272 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Annals of Epidemiology)

Investigation of a Chikungunya‐like illness in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, India 2009–2010

Tropical Medicine and International Health — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion High prevalence of CHIKV IgM antibody positivity, clinical symptoms, virus isolation and the presence of vector mosquitoes clearly suggest CHIKV as the aetiological agent responsible for the outbreak. (Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health)

Applications of Animal Models of Infectious Arthritis in Drug Discovery: A Focus on Alphaviral Disease.

Current Drug Targets — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Herrero L, Nelson M, Bettadapura J, Gahan ME, Mahalingam S Animal models, which mimic human disease, are invaluable tools for understanding the mechanisms of disease pathogenesis and development of treatment strategies. In particular, animal models play important roles in the area of infectious arthritis. Alphaviruses, including Ross River virus (RRV), o'nyong-nyong virus, chikungunya virus (CHIKV), mayaro virus, Semliki Forest virus and sindbis virus, are globally distributed and cause transient illness characterized by fever, rash, myalgia, arthralgia and arthritis in humans. Severe forms of the disease result in chronic incapacitating arthralgia and arthritis. The mechanisms of how these viruses cause musculoskeletal disease are ill defined. In recent years, the use of a mo...

Epidemiology and control of chikungunya fever in Singapore

Journal of Infection — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The disease was successfully brought under control through aggressive vector control measures directed at A. albopictus. Although the incidence has sharply declined since January 2009, a high degree of vigilance is maintained to prevent a recurrence of epidemic transmission which can occur even with a well-established nationwide mosquito control programme. (Source: Journal of Infection)

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Rapid spread of chikungunya virus infection in Orissa: India.

Indian J Med Res — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Dwibedi B, Sabat J, Mahapatra N, Kar SK, Kerketta AS, Hazra RK, Parida SK, Marai NS, Beuria MK Background & objectives : A large number of cases of undiagnosed fever and joint pain were reported from different parts of the State of Orissa since February 2006. Epidemiological and laboratory investigation were carried out to confirm the cause of emerging illness, which was provisionally suspected as Chikungunya (CHIK) fever. Methods: Upon getting the reports of suspected CHIK like illness in different parts of the State, epidemic investigations were carried out in the outbreak affected villages. Case history was recorded, clinical examination undertaken and blood samples collected for seroconfirmation for CHIK IgM antibody using ELISA based kit. Simultaneously vector survey ...

Dengue Fever as an acute febrile disease after overseas travel: a report of two cases.

Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Tarumoto N, Abe Y, Yamaguchi T, Takasaki T, Kurane I, Maesaki S Dengue fever (DF) is a relatively common infection in travelers, with about 100 cases being reported annually in Japan, and this number is increasing. We herein describe two patients who developed a fever after returning to Japan from Southeast Asia and who were serologically diagnosed with DF. Patient 1 was a 19-year-old man who spent 6 days in Thailand and developed diarrhea and a fever after returning to Japan. Virological studies showed dengue virus (DV) serotype 3 by reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR), and anti-DV IgM and IgG antibodies were both positive by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Patient 2 was a 43-year-old man who spent time in various Asian countries and developed a fever and arthralgia...

Potential treatment for Chikungunya discovered

ScienceDaily Headlines — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 06:19:01 +0100

Researchers have discovered two new fully human monoclonal antibodies which could battle Chikungunya, a disease that currently has no available vaccine or specific treatment. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Potential Treatment For Chikungunya Discovered By Collaboration Between Vivalis And A*Star's Singapore Immunology Network

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 11:00:00 +0100

The Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), an institute of the Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), and VIVALIS (NYSE Euronext: VLS), a French biopharmaceutical company, has announced the discovery of two new fully human monoclonal antibodies which could battle Chikungunya, a disease that currently has no available vaccine or specific treatment. The international team of scientists, coordinated by Dr Lucile Warter of SIgN, has published their groundbreaking discovery in the Journal of Immunology... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Management of a Vertically Transmitted Neonatal Chikungunya Thrombocytopenia

Indian Journal of Pediatrics — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 08:00:34 +0100

In this report the vertical transmission of CHIKV is reported in a neonate. Molecular diagnostic technique plays an important role in patient management and disease control. Thrombocytopenia was found to be a major hematological parameter which should be treated at early stage to prevent hemorrhagic manifestations. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-2DOI 10.1007/s12098-011-0371-7Authors Ambuj Shrivastava, Division of Virology, Defence R& D Establishment, Jhansi Road, Gwalior, 474002 IndiaMirza Waqar Beg, Dr.Beg’s Child Care, 93-N, Pinky Apartment, Dalibagh, Near Ganna Sansthan, Hazratganj, Lucknow, 226001 IndiaChandravati Gujrati, Krishna Medical Centre, 1,R.P.Marg, Hazratganj, Lucknow, IndiaNatarajan Gopalan, Division of Virology, Defence R& D Establishment, Jhansi Road, Gwal...

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Potential treatment for Chikungunya discovered by Vivalis and A*STAR's SIgN

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore) The Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), an institute of the Agency of Science, Technology and Research, and VIVALIS, a French biopharmaceutical company, announced today the discovery of two new fully human monoclonal antibodies which could battle Chikungunya, a disease that currently has no available vaccine or specific treatment. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Returning Travelers Bring Chikungunya to U.S.

Medscape Infectious Diseases Headlines — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 22:45:47 +0100

With a resurgence of Chikungunya fever in Asia, there were more than 100 cases reported in the U.S. from 2006-2009 among returning travelers, a new study shows. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Infectious Diseases Headlines)

Probing the attenuation and protective efficacy of a candidate chikungunya virus vaccine in mice with compromised interferon (IFN) signaling.

Vaccine — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Partidos CD, Weger J, Brewoo J, Seymour R, Borland EM, Ledermann JP, Powers AM, Weaver SC, Stinchcomb DT, Osorio JE Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne alphavirus that causes explosive outbreaks of febrile illness associated with rash, and painful arthralgia. The CHIK vaccine strain 181/clone25 (181/25) developed by the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) was shown to be well-tolerated and highly immunogenic in phase I and II clinical trials although it induced transient arthralgia in some healthy adult volunteers. In an attempt to better understand the host factors that are involved in the attenuating phenotype of CHIK 181/25 vaccine virus we conducted studies in interferon (IFN)-compromised mice and also evaluated its imm...

A226V Strains of Chikungunya Virus, Reunion Island, 2010.

Emerging Infectious Diseases — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: D'Ortenzio E, Grandadam M, Balleydier E, Jaffar-Bandjee MC, Michault A, Brottet E, Baville M, Filleul L To the Editor: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) first emerged in Indian Ocean islands off the eastern coast of Africa in 2005 and was responsible for large-scale epidemics on the islands of Reunion, Comoros, Mayotte, Mauritius, Madagascar, and Seychelles (1-4). On Reunion Island, a French overseas territory of 810,000 inhabitants, herd immunity reached 38% in October 2006 (5). Molecular epidemiology of the strain responsible for these outbreaks indicated that it had originated in Kenya (6). The epidemic on Reunion Island was associated with a mutation in the envelope protein gene (E1-A226V) that improves replication and transmission efficiency in Aedes albopictus mosquitoes (7). ...

Disease exacerbation by etanercept in a mouse model of alphaviral arthritis and myositis

Arthritis and Rheumatism — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 20:20:35 +0100

ConclusionAnti‐TNF therapy is unlikely to be useful in treating alphaviral arthritides. During alphaviral epidemics, careful monitoring of patients being treated with anti‐TNF agents may be warranted. (Source: Arthritis and Rheumatism)

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RNA-seq analyses of blood-induced changes in gene expression in the mosquito vector species, Aedes aegypti

BioMed Central — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: This study provides the first global view of the changes in transcript accumulation elicited by a blood meal in Ae. aegypti females. This information permitted the identification of classes of potentially co-regulated genes and a description of biochemical and physiological events that occur immediately after blood feeding. The data presented here serve as a basis for novel vector control and pathogen transmission-blocking strategies including those in which the vectors are modified genetically to express anti-pathogen effector molecules. (Source: BioMed Central)

A226V Strains of Chikungunya Virus, Réunion Island, 2010, E. D'ortensio et al.

Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 19:00:00 +0100

(Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal)

[Maternal-fetal chikungunya infection associated with Bernard-Soulier syndrome.]

Archives de Pediatrie — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Boumahni B, Kaplan C, Clabé A, Randrianaivo H, Lanza F Neonatal thrombocytopenia may stem from several origins. A newborn was hospitalized on the 3rd day of life with thrombocytopenia likely due to maternofetal autoimmune thrombocytopenia. Two days later, he displayed a chikungunya virus infection, during a severe epidemic on Reunion Island. The characterization of human platelet antigen (HPA) in the parents showed incompatibility in the HPA-3 system; however, no detectable antiHPA-3a antibody was found in the mother's serum. The persistence of moderate thrombocytopenia led to the diagnosis, using flow cytometry, of Bernard-Soulier syndrome (BSS), with no detectable GPIbIX. This case shows that neonatal inherited thrombocytopenia may be difficult to characterize, especially w...

Perceived morbidity and community burden after a Chikungunya outbreak: the TELECHIK survey, a population-based cohort study

BMC Medicine — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Background: Persistent disabilities are key manifestations of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection, especially incapacitating polyarthralgia and fatigue. So far, little is known about their impact on health status. The present study aimed at describing the burden of CHIKV prolonged or late-onset symptoms on the self-perceived health of La Reunion islanders. Methods: At 18 months after an outbreak of Chikungunya virus, we implemented the TELECHIK survey; a retrospective cohort study conducted on a random sample of the representative SEROCHIK population-based survey. A total of 1,094 subjects sampled for CHIKV-specific IgG antibodies in the setting of La Reunion island in the Indian Ocean, between August 2006 and October 2006, were interviewed about current symptoms divided into musculoskelet...

Preclinical Efficacy Of Inovio Pharmaceuticals' Chikungunya DNA Vaccine Featured In PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 09:00:00 +0100

Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE Amex: INO), a leader in the development of novel therapeutic and preventive vaccines against cancers and infectious diseases, announced the publication of a scientific paper highlighting positive results from Inovio's multi-antigen Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) DNA vaccine in PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Measuring the burden of arboviral diseases: the spectrum of morbidity and mortality of four prevalent infections

Population Health Metrics — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Limitations in health systems in endemic areas undoubtedly lead to underestimation of arbovirus incidence and related complications. However, improving diagnostics and better understanding of the late secondary results of infection now give a first approximation of the current disease burden from these widespread serious infections. Arbovirus control and prevention remains a high priority, both because of the current disease burden and the significant threat of the re-emergence of these viruses among much larger groups of susceptible populations. (Source: Population Health Metrics)

Social sciences research in neglected tropical diseases 2: A bibliographic analysis

Health Research Policy and Systems — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Background: There are strong arguments for social science and interdisciplinary research in the neglected tropical diseases. These diseases represent a rich and dynamic interplay between vector, host, and pathogen which occurs within social, physical and biological contexts. The overwhelming sense, however, is that neglected tropical diseases research is a biomedical endeavour largely excluding the social sciences. The purpose of this review is to provide a baseline for discussing the quantum and nature of the science that is being conducted, and the extent to which the social sciences are a part of that. Methods: A bibliographic analysis was conducted of neglected tropical diseases related research papers published over the past 10 years in biomedical and social sciences. The analysis had...

A mouse model of chikungunya virus-induced musculoskeletal inflammatory disease evidence of arthritis, tenosynovitis, myositis, and persistence.

The American Journal of Pathology — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

In this study, the pathogenesis of CHIKV in C57BL/6J mice was investigated using biological and molecular clones of CHIKV isolated from human serum (CHIKV SL15649). After 14-day-old mice were inoculated with CHIKV SL15649 in the footpad, they displayed reduced weight gain and swelling of the inoculated limb. Histologic analysis of hind limb sections revealed severe necrotizing myositis, mixed inflammatory cell arthritis, chronic active tenosynovitis, and multifocal vasculitis. Interestingly, these disease signs and viral RNA persisted in musculoskeletal tissues for at least 3 weeks after inoculation. This work demonstrates the development of a mouse model of CHIKV infection with clinical manifestations and histopathologic findings that are consistent with the disease signs of CHIKV-infecte...

Purpuric macules with vesiculobullous lesions: a novel manifestation of Chikungunya

International Journal of Dermatology — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 15:52:19 +0100

Conclusion With severe epidemics of CHIK spreading from Asia and Africa to the Western hemisphere, we must consider bullous CHIK as a differential diagnosis in cases with fever and purpuric and vesiculobullous lesions. (Source: International Journal of Dermatology)

Viewpoint: High susceptibility to Chikungunya virus of Aedes aegypti from the French West Indies and French GuianaSensibilitéélevée d’Aedes aegypti au virus Chikungunya dans les Antilles et en Guyane françaiseAlta susceptibilidad de Aedes aegypti al virus Chikungunya en las Indias Francesas Occidentales y la Guyana Francesa

Tropical Medicine and International Health — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 16:38:19 +0100

Conclusions Ae. aegypti from French Guiana and French West Indies are highly competent to transmit CHIKV. An evaluation of DIR 7 days rather than 14 days pi is adequate to estimate vector competence. The titre of 106 pfu/ml allows us to distinguish Ae. aegypti populations originating from distinct environments (dense or diffuse housing) by their vector competence. This assessment is a prerequisite to better evaluate the potential risk of Chikungunya outbreaks once the virus is introduced from endemic regions.Objectifs: Estimer la compétence vectorielle de populations d’Ae. aegyptiéchantillonnées dans différents environnements anthropogéniques en Guyane française, en Guadeloupe et en Martinique, pour la souche CHIKV 06.21.Méthodes: Des femelles F1/F2 ont été infec...

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Chikungunya fever in two German tourists returning from the Maldives, September, 2009.

Euro Surveill — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 21:10:08 +0100

This report describes the first isolation and molecular characterisation of a chikungunya virus from two German tourists who became ill after a visit to the Maldives in September 2009. The virus contained the E1 A226V mutation, shown to be responsible for an adaptation to the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus. The E1 coding sequence was identical to chikungunya virus isolates from Sri Lanka and showed three nt-mismatches to the only available E1 nt sequence from the Maldives. PMID: 20394712 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Euro Surveill)

Acute optic neuritis following infection with chikungunya virus in southern rural India

International Journal of Infectious Diseases — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: CHIKV infection may cause acute-onset of visual loss due to acute optic neuritis. Prompt recovery of vision may follow steroid therapy. Physicians should be aware of the possibility of acute optic neuritis following CHIKV infection so that a preventable cause of vision loss can be treated effectively. (Source: International Journal of Infectious Diseases)

Glycoprotein organization of Chikungunya virus particles revealed by X-ray crystallography

Nature — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: James E. Voss, Marie-Christine Vaney, Stéphane Duquerroy, Clemens Vonrhein, Christine Girard-Blanc, Elodie Crublet, Andrew Thompson, Gérard Bricogne & Félix A. Rey Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an emerging mosquito-borne alphavirus that has caused widespread outbreaks of debilitating human disease in the past five years. CHIKV invasion of susceptible cells is mediated by two viral glycoproteins, E1 and E2, which carry the main antigenic determinants and form an icosahedral shell at the virion surface. Glycoprotein E2, derived from furin cleavage of the p62 precursor into E3 and E2, is responsible for receptor binding, and E1 for membrane fusion. In the context of a concerted multidisciplinary effort to understand the biology of CHIKV, here we report the crys...

Comparative pathogenesis of epidemic and enzootic chikungunya viruses in a pregnant rhesus macaque model.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Chen CI, Clark DC, Pesavento P, Lerche NW, Luciw PA, Reisen WK, Brault AC Abstract. Since 2004, an East African genotype of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has emerged, causing significant epidemics of an arthralgic syndrome. In addition, this virus has been associated for the first time with neonatal transmission and neurological complications. In the current study, pregnant Rhesus macaques were inoculated with an enzootic or epidemic strain of CHIKV to compare pathogenesis and transplacental transmission potential. Viremias were similar for both strains and peaked at 2-3 days post-inoculation (dpi). Viral RNA was detected at necropsy at 21 dpi in maternal lymphoid, joint-associated, and spinal cord tissues. The absence of detectable viral RNA and the lack of germinal center develo...

Seroprevalence survey of chikungunya virus in bagan panchor, malaysia.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Ayu SM, Lai LR, Chan YF, Hatim A, Hairi NN, Ayob A, Sam IC Abstract. In 2006, an outbreak of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) of the Asian genotype affected over 200 people in Bagan Panchor village in Malaysia. One year later, a post-outbreak survey was performed to determine attack rate, asymptomatic rate, and post-infection sequelae. Findings were compared with recent CHIKV outbreaks of the Central/East African genotype. A total of 180 residents were interviewed for acute symptoms and post-infection physical quality of life and depressive symptoms. Sera from 72 residents were tested for CHIKV neutralizing antibodies. The estimated attack rate was 55.6%, and 17.5% of infected residents were asymptomatic. Arthralgia was reported up to 3 months after infection, but there were no repor...

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Venereal Transmission of Chikungunya Virus by Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae).

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Mavale M, Parashar D, Sudeep A, Gokhale M, Ghodke Y, Geevarghese G, Arankalle V, Mishra AC Abstract. Experiments were conducted to demonstrate the role of male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in the maintenance and transmission of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) to female mosquitoes. We demonstrated that infected male mosquitoes are capable of infecting females during mating. The infection rate in female mosquitoes was 11% when virgin female mosquitoes were allowed to coinhabit with infected males. The body suspension of venereally infected female mosquitoes induced illness in infant Swiss albino mice, which demonstrated the infectivity of the venereally transmitted virus. The presence of CHIKV in the brains of the ill mice was confirmed by a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction...

Assessing key safety concerns of a Wolbachia-based strategy to control dengue transmission by Aedes mosquitoes.

Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We report in this paper on the experimental data obtained, discuss the limitations of experimental risk assessment and focus on the necessity of including community concerns in scientific research. PMID: 21225190 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz)

Breeding potential of Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1895) in chikungunya affected areas of Kerala, India.

Indian J Med Res — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Eapen A, Ravindran KJ, Dash AP PMID: 21245624 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Indian J Med Res)

Development and evaluation of a one-step SYBR-Green I-based real-time RT-PCR assay for the detection and quantification of Chikungunya virus in human, monkey and mosquito samples.

Tropical Biomedicine — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This study on early diagnostics is of importance to all endemic countries, especially Malaysia, which has been facing increasingly frequent and bigger outbreaks due to this virus since 1999. PMID: 21399603 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Tropical Biomedicine)

Functional dissection of the alphavirus capsid protease: sequence requirements for activity

Virology Journal — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: We analyzed various amino acid sequence requirements for the activity of ChikV capsid protease and found that amino acids outside the catalytic triads are important for the activity. (Source: Virology Journal)

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Travel and migration associated infectious diseases morbidity in Europe, 2008

BMC Infectious Diseases — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: In 2008, a broad spectrum of travel associated diseases were diagnosed at EuroTravNet core sites. Diagnoses varied according to regions visited by ill travellers. The spectrum of travel associated morbidity also shows that there is a need to dispel the misconception that travel, close to home, in Europe, is without significant health risk. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)

Cutaneous manifestations of chikungunya during a recent epidemic in Calicut, north Kerala, south India

Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: A spectrum of cutaneous manifestations of CKG with a wide variety of unusual presentations with confirmed serological and histopathological evidence was encountered. (Source: Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology)

The Chikungunya Disease : Modeling, Vector and Transmission Global Dynamics.

Mathematical Biosciences — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Moulay D, Aziz-Alaoui MA, Cadivel M Models for the transmission of the chikungunya virus to human population are discussed. The chikungunya virus is an alpha arbovirus, first identified in 1953. It is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and is responsible for a little documented uncommon acute tropical disease. Models describing the mosquito population dynamics and the virus transmission to the human population are discussed. Global analysis of equilibria are given, which use on the one hand Lyapunov functions and on the other hand results of the theory of competitive systems and stability of periodic orbits. PMID: 21070789 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Mathematical Biosciences)

Cellular IMPDH enzyme activity is a potential target for the inhibition of Chikungunya virus replication and virus induced apoptosis in cultured mammalian cells.

Antiviral Research — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Khan M, Dhanwani R, Patro IK, Rao PV, Parida MM Inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) catalyzes an essential step in the de novo biosynthesis of guanine nucleotide, namely, the conversion of IMP to XMP. The depletion of the intracellular GTP and dGTP pools is the major event occurring in the cells exposed to the inhibitors such as mycophenolic acid. The present study was undertaken with an objective to assess the antiviral potential of mycophenolic acid (MPA) against Chikungunya virus via inhibition of IMPDH enzyme in Vero cells. The inhibitory potential of MPA on CHIKV replication was assessed by virus inhibition assay (cytopathic effect, immunofluorescence), virus yield reduction assay and cell viability assay. Inhibition of virus induced apoptosis was analyzed by Hoec...

[Health alert management and emerging risk.]

Transfusion Clinique et Biologique — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Pillonel J Following health crisis that have occurred in the nineties (contaminated blood, mad cow, asbestos, etc.) and more recently those generated by the heat wave in 2003 or by emerging infectious pathogens (SARS, West Nile, Chikungunya, H5N1, H1N1…), a real health vigilance system has been progressively developed in France. After a brief historical overview of the health alert system, this article will give the guiding principles of its current organization in France and will present two examples of recent health alerts (Chikungunya in the Reunion Island in 2005-2006 and hepatitis A outbreak in the Côtes-d'Armor in August 2007), that have needed the implementation of preventive measures regarding the blood donor selection. These two examples have shown that the positio...

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[Newsdesk] Infectious disease surveillance update

The Lancet Infectious Diseases — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 18:30:43 +0100

On Oct 6, the Department of Health of Guangdong Province reported that at least 38 people had been confirmed with chikungunya virus infection of 204 reported cases; another 166 cases are awaiting verification. WHO has said that so far the cases have been mild. The patients are in stable condition, and there have been no severe cases or deaths.On Oct 7, the UK Health Protection Agency confirmed 141 cases of infection with Salmonellaenterica serovar Bareilly acquired from contaminated bean sprouts. (Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases)

Molecular characterization of Chikungunya virus during an outbreak in South India

Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 21:40:39 +0100

Conclusion: RT-PCR is a useful technique for the early detection of CHIKV infection during outbreaks. Molecular characterization of the strains indicates that majority of the strains have originated from the Central/East African strains of CHIKV. (Source: Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology)

Chikungunya virus iridocyclitis in Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis

Indian Journal of Ophthalmology — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 11:50:43 +0100

Padmamalini Mahendradas, Rohit Shetty, J Malathi, HN MadhavanIndian Journal of Ophthalmology 2010 58(6):545-547We are reporting a case of bilateral Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis with chikungunya virus infection in the left eye. A 20-year-old female was presented with a past history of fever suggestive of chikungunya with bilateral Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis and complicated cataract. She had a tripod dendritic pattern of keratic precipitates by confocal microscopy in the left eye with a stippled pattern of keratic precipitates in both eyes. The real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay in the aqueous humor detected 98 copies/ml of chikungunya virus RNA. The patient underwent clear corneal phacoemulsification with in-the-bag intraocular lens implantation i...

In the news

Nature Reviews Microbiology — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Nature Reviews Microbiology 8, 763 (2010). doi:10.1038/nrmicro2467 Our monthly round up of infectious diseases news, which this month includes an outbreak of chikungunya fever in France, the origin of human malaria and the first description of an intrinsic mechanism of retrovirus recognition. (Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology)

Evidence of co-infection of chikungunya and densonucleosis viruses in C6/36 cell lines and laboratory infected Aedes aegypti (L.) mosquitoes

Parasites and Vectors — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Chikungunya virus neither stimulates the replication of densovirus nor is its own replication suppressed due to co-infection. Ae. aegypti mosquitoes with densovirus infection were as susceptible to infection by chikungunya virus as the uninfected mosquitoes. (Source: Parasites and Vectors)

Three years of bluetongue disease in central Europe with special reference to Germany: what lessons can be learned?

Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kampen H, Werner D With few exceptions, vector-borne diseases have long been considered of minor importance in central and northern Europe. Since the advent of bluetongue disease (BTD) in 2006 and the 2007 chikungunya fever outbreak in Italy this attitude has changed. It is due to continuing globalization rather than to climate change that even central and northern Europe are at risk of new pathogens as well as vectors of disease entering and establishing. BTD was the first 'exotic' disease to arrive: it did not slowly spread northwards but jumped in through a still unknown entry point. Although indigenous Culicoides biting midge species had formerly been considered to be the vectors of the bluetongue virus (BTV) in the Mediterranean, nobody had expected BTD in more northern E...

Chikungunya Fever: A Re-emerging Problem (John Gibson MD)

Family Medicine Digital Resources Library (FMDRL) Recently Uploaded — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Chikungunya fever is making a comeback in South and SE Asia as a major source of febrile illness and prolonged joint pain. Travelers to India, South Thailand and other common tourist locations in SE Asia should be advised. (Source: Family Medicine Digital Resources Library (FMDRL) Recently Uploaded)

Trends in importation of communicable diseases into singapore.

Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: This study underlines that diseases such as malaria, viral hepatitis and enteric fever occur in Singapore mainly because of importation. The main origin of importation was South and Southeast Asia. The proportion of imported diseases in relation to overall passenger traffi c has decreased over the past 10 years. PMID: 21063636 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore)

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First cases of autochthonous dengue fever and chikungunya fever in France: from bad dream to reality!

Clinical Microbiology and Infection — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100

(Source: Clinical Microbiology and Infection)

Chikungunya virus: a novel and potentially serious threat to New Zealand and the South Pacific islands.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100

In this report, we discuss the potential threat posed by chikungunya to the region, focusing in particular on New Zealand, and re-emphasizing the need for a South Pacific-wide approach towards mosquito-borne disease prevention. PMID: 20889861 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene)

Outbreak of chikungunya fever, Dakshina Kannada District, South India, 2008.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Manimunda SP, Sugunan AP, Rai SK, Vijayachari P, Shriram AN, Sharma S, Muruganandam N, Chaitanya IK, Guruprasad DR, Sudeep AB The outbreak of chikungunya fever that surfaced in India during late 2005 has affected more than 1.56 million people, spread to more than 17 states/union territories, and is still ongoing. Many of these areas are dengue- and leptospirosis-endemic settings. We carried out a cross-sectional survey in one such chikungunya-affected location in Dakshina Kannada District of Karnataka State to estimate the magnitude of the epidemic and the proportion of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infections that remained clinically inapparent. The seropositivity for CHIKV infection was 62.2%, and the attack rate of confirmed CHIK fever was 58.3%. The proportion of inapparent CH...

Mosquito-Borne Illnesses in Travelers: A Review of Risk and Prevention

Pharmacotherapy: Official Journal of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Pharmacotherapy 30(10): 1031-1043 Abstract In 2008, residents of the United States made 12 million visits to developing countries in Asia, South America, Central America, Oceania, the Middle East, and Africa. Due to the presence of Anopheles, Aedes, and Culex mosquitoes, travel to these destinations poses a risk for diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, and Japanese encephalitis that cause significant morbidity and mortality. To gain a better understanding of the major emerging and established travel-related infectious diseases transmitted principally by mosquitoes and the measures for their prevention in U.S. residents who travel to these developing countries, we performed a literature search of the PubMed and MEDLINE databases (January 1950-February 2010). Information from the Centers ...