Autor(es): Ravich-ran Rajan, Manian Manju

Resumo: Chikungunya is an acute viral infection presenting with a febrile episode - severe arthralgia, swelling of soft tissues, especially around the ankles. Many patients recover with nonspecific treatment of analgesics. Some patients continue to have subacute crippling arthritis in the legs affecting their mobility. This study was undertaken to see the effect of the antiviral drug Ribavirin in the clinical outcome of these patients. Ten patients who continued to have crippling lower limb pains - arthritis for at least two weeks after a febrile episode were taken up for the drug study. Ten similar patients during the same period were included as controls. In the study group Ribavirin was given at 200 mg twice a day for seven days. Both groups were followed up for four weeks. All patients in the drug group reported improvement in the joint pains with six of them capable of walking freely. The soft tissue swelling also reduced in eight. In three patients the pain returned after mobilization. Seven patients continued not to receive analgesics after four weeks. Ribavirin may have a direct antiviral property against Chikungunya leading to faster resolution of joint - soft tissue manifestations.

Palavras-Chave: Chikungunya; Lower limb arthritis; Ribavirin; Observational study

Imprenta: Journal of Infection in Developing Countries, v. 2, n. 2, p. 140-142, 2008

Identificador do objeto digital: 10.3855/jidc.286

Descritores: Chikungunya virus - Pathogenesis ; Chikungunya virus - Viral infections ; Chikungunya Virus - Virus ; Chikungunya virus - Public health

Data de publicação: 2008