Chikungunya IgM, 96 wells

Introduction
Chikungunya virus is an arthropod borne virus of the genus Alphavirus (family Togaviridae). The Alphavirus genus
contains at least 24 distinct species. These are lipid-enveloped virions with a diameter of 50 to 60 nm.

Summary
Alphavirus infections are initiated by the bite of an infected mosquito, which results in the deposition of virus in
subcutaneous and possibly cutaneous tissues. After an incubation period of 1 to 12 days the Chikungunya fever develops.
Chikungunya fever (Chikungunya means “that which bends up”, in reference to the crippling manifestations of the
disease) is an acute viral infection characterized by a rapid transition from a state of good health to illness that includes
severe arthralgia and fever.
Temperature rises abruptly to as high as 40°C and is often accompanied by shaking chills. After a few days, fever may
abate and recrudesce, giving rise to a “saddleback” fever curve. Arthralgia is polyarticular, favoring the small joints and
sites of previous injuries, and is most intense on arising. Patients typically avoid movement as much as possible. Joints
may swell without significant fluid accumulations. These symptoms may last from 1 week to several months and are
accompanied by myalgia. The rash characteristically appears on the first day of illness, but onset may be delayed. It
usually arises as a flush over the face and neck, which evolves to a maculopapular or macular form that may be pruritic.
The latter lesions appear on the trunk, limbs, face, plams and soles, in that order of frequency. Petechial skin lesions have
also been noted. Headache, photophobia, retro-orbitral pain, sore throat with objective signs of pharyngitis, nausea and
vomiting also occur in this setting. Occasionally, however persistent arthralgia and polyarthritis (lasting months or even
years) do occur, sometimes involving joint destruction. Even rarer, sequelae include encephalitis and meningoencephalitis
with high lethality rates.
The virus has major importance in Africa and Asia. From 20% to more than 90% of the population of tropical and
subtropical show serologic evidence of infection. Because Aedes mosquitoes are increasingly prevalent in North Africa
and South America, where the population would be uniformly susceptible to infection, the possibility for epidemics is
evident. Chikungunya virus infections are imported to central Europe mainly by travellers to tropical and subtropical
countries.