Chikungunya: an overview
Autor(es): Sudeep A B, Parashar D
Resumo: Chikungunya (CHIK),a mosquito borne debilitating disease,is caused by CHIK virus,an alphavirus belonging to the family Togaviridae.The sudden onset of very high fever along with rash, - severe arthralgia especially in the small joints of h-s - toes are the characteristics of the disease. It was first reported from Tanzania in 1952-53 - spread subsequently to sub-Saharan Africa, South East Asia - Pacific causing large epidemics. The virus exists in three genotypes, the Asian, West African - East Central South African that are responsible for outbreaks in the respective areas.The first outbreak in Asia was in Bangkok in 1958 followed by other Asian countries. India experienced massive outbreaks of CHIK in the 1960s - early 70s mainly in cities. After a gap of 32 years an explosive outbreak of CHIK devastated the country affecting more than 1.4 million people in 13 states.The epidemic also witnessed many unusual clinico-pathological complications including CHIK associated deaths - mother to child transmission. High morbidity with severe arthralgia persisted for several months made the people mentally - physically weak. This review describes CHIK in general - highlights the various clinico-pathological aspects observed during the recent outbreak.
Palavras-Chave: Aedes mosquitoes; Arthralgia; Chikungunya; Clinico-pathological complications; Real-time PCR; Vaccines
Imprenta: Journal of Biosciences, v. 33, n. 4, p. 443-449, 2008
Descritores: Chikungunya virus - Pathogenesis ; Chikungunya virus - Viral infections ; Chikungunya Virus - Virus ; Chikungunya virus - Transmission ; Chikungunya virus - Vaccine ; Chikungunya virus - Chikungunya fever ; Chikungunya virus - Epidemic ; Chikungunya virus - Epidemiology ; Chikungunya virus - Immunology ; Chikungunya virus - Public health
Data de publicação: 2008
