Autor(es): Lakshmipathy Deepika T, Dhanasekaran Dharumadurai

Resumo: The present study was carried out with the aim of evaluating the epidemiology of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in Vellore district - also to identify the most susceptible sex - age group to CHIKV infection. About 100 positive blood samples were collected from various localities Vellore, Katpadi, Thiruvallam, Sathuvachari - Gudiyatham in Vellore district - analysed. The total RNA was isolated from these infected blood samples - transcribed into its cDNA. The E1 gene of CHIKV was amplified - subsequently sequenced. A Phylogenetic analysis was carried out with the resultant sequence. Also the RNA secondary structure - restriction sites in the E1 gene of CHIKV were predicted using the softwares Genebee - NEBCutter, respectively. A survey on the outbreak of Chikungunya fever in - around Vellore district was carried out with the aim of identifying the most susceptible sex - age group to Chikungunya viral infection. The results of the present study based on the phylogenetic analysis - BLAST studies revealed that the E1 gene sequence of CHIKV under investigation showed 87% similarity with that of the sequence of the CHIKV strain AR18211. This study has thus revealed that the major strain responsible for the outbreak of Chikungunya fever in Vellore district was AR18211" strain, an African genotype. Also the survey on CHIKV fever revealed the most susceptible age group to be between 20-40 years - the infection to be predominant among the male population."

Palavras-Chave: Chikungunya virus E1 gene; Phylogenetic analysis; African genotype; RNA secondary structure; Restriction sites

Imprenta: East African Journal of Public Health, v. 5, n. 2, p. 122-125, 2008

Descritores: Chikungunya virus - Biochemistry ; Chikungunya virus - Molecular structure ; Chikungunya virus - Pathogenesis ; Chikungunya virus - RNA ; Chikungunya virus - Viral infections ; Chikungunya virus - Molecular methods ; Chikungunya Virus - Virus ; Chikungunya virus - Chikungunya fever ; Chikungunya virus - Epidemiology ; Chikungunya virus - Public health

Data de publicação: 2008

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