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Chikungunya virus: a rheumatologist's perspective
Marta Runowska1, Dominik Majewski2, Karolina Niklas2
1Department of Rheumatology and Internal Diseases, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland. marta.runowska1@gmail.com.
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology
|March 14, 2018
Summary
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) causes a severe rheumatic disorder resembling rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This review covers CHIKV epidemiology, pathogenesis, and management, highlighting the need for effective treatments.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Rheumatology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arbovirus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, causing acute febrile illness with severe arthralgia.
- The disease often progresses to a chronic rheumatic condition with features similar to rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- CHIKV has spread globally, posing a significant public health challenge with no specific vaccine or antiviral treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and management of Chikungunya disease.
- To explore the relationship between chronic Chikungunya (CHIK) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), focusing on shared pathways.
- To provide insights for rheumatologists managing post-chikungunya rheumatic disorders.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of CHIKV epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, and management.
- Analysis of shared cellular and cytokine pathways in chronic CHIK and RA.
- Synthesis of current treatment strategies for acute and chronic Chikungunya.
Main Results:
- CHIKV infection can lead to persistent arthritis mimicking RA, with common underlying pathogenetic mechanisms.
- Global CHIKV spread has resulted in millions affected worldwide.
- Current treatments for chronic Chikungunya rheumatic disorder have variable success rates.
Conclusions:
- Chronic Chikungunya is an emerging rheumatic condition requiring increased attention from rheumatologists.
- Understanding shared pathways with RA may offer therapeutic targets.
- Development of effective vaccines and antiviral therapies for CHIKV is urgently needed.