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Cytokines in acute chikungunya

Anuradha Venugopalan1, Ravi P Ghorpade1, Arvind Chopra1

  • 1Center for Rheumatic Diseases, Pune, India.

Plos One
|October 25, 2014
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection triggers intense immune responses, with specific cytokines linked to symptom duration and severity. Understanding these cytokine profiles aids in managing musculoskeletal pain and recovery.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Chikungunya (CHIKV) is a painful arbovirus illness causing musculoskeletal symptoms.
  • Previous studies, including a 2006 Indian epidemic, have documented CHIKV's impact.
  • This study presents serum cytokine profiles in CHIKV patients within one month of illness onset.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze serum cytokine profiles in acute chikungunya patients.
  • To correlate cytokine levels with clinical features and antibody responses.
  • To investigate factors influencing symptom resolution in CHIKV infection.

Main Methods:

  • Analyzed serum cytokines (IFN-α, -β, -γ, CXCL-10, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-13, MCP-1, IL-4, IL-10) using ELISA in 132 CHIKV patients.
  • Tested for anti-CHIKV IgM and IgG antibodies via immunochromatography and immunofluorescence.
  • Included healthy controls from a prior community survey.

Main Results:

  • Elevated levels of IFN-α, IFN-β, IFN-γ, CXCL-10, and IL-1β were observed in the early acute phase.
  • Cytokines like TNF-α, MCP-1, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 peaked in the extended symptomatic phase and remained high post-recovery.
  • Higher Interferon (IFN) and Interleukin-4 (IL-4) levels correlated with anti-CHIKV IgG seropositivity; elderly patients showed similar cytokine profiles to younger ones.

Conclusions:

  • An intense cytokine response is characteristic of acute and persistent CHIKV infection, extending into the recovery phase.
  • Delayed musculoskeletal symptom resolution is associated with early persistent IgM, lower IgG anti-CHIKV antibodies, and a Th2 cytokine phenotype.
  • Specific cytokine patterns, including high TNF-α, IL-6, IL-13 with low IgM, were noted in patients recovering within one month.

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