Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 5, 2025
Multiplexed Isothermal Amplification Based Diagnostic Platform to Detect Zika, Chikungunya, and Dengue 1
Published on: March 13, 2018
Dengue-chikungunya coinfection outbreak in children from Cali, Colombia in 2018-2019
Jaime E Castellanos1, Nayeli Jaimes1, Carolina Coronel-Ruiza2
1Grupo de Virología, Universidad El Bosque, Bogotá, Colombia.
Insights
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is circulating in children with febrile illness in Colombia, often co-infecting with dengue virus (DENV). This highlights the need for accurate arbovirus diagnostics for effective treatment and surveillance.
Area of Science:
- Arbovirology
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Febrile illnesses in children are common in tropical regions.
- Accurate identification of causative arboviruses is crucial for patient management and public health.
- Dengue virus (DENV) and Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) are significant mosquito-borne pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify arboviruses causing febrile illness in children in Cali, Colombia.
- To describe the clinical characteristics of these infections.
- To assess co-infections and diagnostic performance.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study of 345 febrile children over 12 months.
- Serum samples analyzed for DENV, CHIKV, and Zika virus (ZIKV) using RT-PCR and serology.
- Clinical data and laboratory results were compared.
Main Results:
- Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) was detected in 41.4% of patients.
- Dengue virus (DENV) was detected in 5.8% of patients.
- Coinfections with DENV and CHIKV were common (35.7%), with poor serology performance for double infections. ZIKV was detected in 1.4% as co-infections.
Conclusions:
- Sustained CHIKV circulation in children with febrile illness was confirmed.
- CHIKV spreads during the DENV season, leading to co-infections and altered clinical presentations.
- Specific diagnostic tests are needed for accurate arbovirus identification, improving treatment and surveillance.
Objective:
To identify the arbovirus involved in febrile cases identified in a pediatric clinic in Cali, Valle del Cauca province, Colombia, and study the clinical characteristics.
Methods:
A descriptive, prospective study enrolled 345 febrile children for 12 months in a pediatric clinic. Medical record registers documenting signs and symptoms, and serum samples were analyzed to detect DENV, CHIKV, and ZIKV by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and serology methods. Diagnosis at the time of admission and discharge were compared based on laboratory test results.
Results:
All patients were diagnosed as severe dengue at admission. Molecular detection and serology tests identified 143 CHIKV-positive (41.4%), 20 DENV-positive (5.8%), and 123 DENV-CHIKV coinfection patients (35.7%). DENV or CHIKV serology test results of these double-infected patients yield poor performance to confirm patient cases. ZIKV infection was detected in 5 patients (1.4%), every time as double or triple infections.
Conclusion:
. A sustained CHIKV circulation and transmission was confirmed causing febrile illness in children and indicating that this virus spreads even during the regular DENV season, leading to double infections and altering clinical symptoms. Specific clinical tests are necessary to closely identify the arbovirus involved in causing infectious diseases that can help in better treatment and mosquito-transmitted virus surveillance.
Related Concept Videos
01:08Prevalence and Incidence
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health...
00:57Viral Recombination