New approaches to chikungunya virus vaccine development

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne human pathogen that affects millions of individuals each year by causing non-specific flu-like symptoms, with a characteristic rash accompanied by joint pain that may last for a long time after the resolution of the infection. Despite intense research efforts, no approved vaccine or antiviral therapy is yet available. This review is based on articles retrieved by PubMed and clinical trials since 1980 to present. Virus complexity, protective and non-protective immune responses against the virus, and the most important a new patented approaches for Chikungunya vaccine development are discussed.