An encounter with potentially reemerging chikungunya infection during 2016-2017

Abstract

Background: Chikungunya (CHIK) virus infection is an arthropod-borne “reemerging” zoonotic disease. Our geographical region reported almost negligible cases during 20112015; however, in the latter part of 2016 and early 2017, Chandigarh experienced a major outbreak of CHIK infection. The present retrospective observational study was undertaken to examine the seroprevalence and clinical profile of all the adult patients suspected of CHIK presenting to our hospital from 2016 to 2017. Materials and Methods: All consecutive patients with clinical suspicion of CHIK infection were included in the study. Serum samples were collected from all the adult patients and tested for IgM antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using commercially available kits. Results: Out of 1087 clinically suspected adult patients, 351 (32.29%) were found to be positive for CHIK IgM antibodies. Males 208 (59.2%) outnumbered the females 143 (40.7%). Family clustering was common. All patients presented with fever, severe joint pains (95.7%), and joint stiffness and swelling (69.8%). Two patients presented with encephalitis. Conclusion: CHIK is a reemerging debilitating arthritic disease of global health concern with a capacity for immeasurable morbidity. In the absence of a licensed vaccine or chemoprophylaxis, active surveillance and vector control are the key factors in limiting the disease outbreak and transmission.

Keywords

• arbovirus
• chandigarh
• chikungunya
• clinical features
• reemerging infection
• seroprevalence