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Sjögren's Syndrome Associated with Chikungunya Infection: A Case Report
Jozélio Freire de Carvalho1, Darja Kanduc2, Felipe Freire da Silva3
1Institute for Health Sciences from Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. jotafc@gmail.com.
Rheumatology and Therapy
|February 2, 2021
Summary
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection may trigger Sjögren syndrome (SS), a rare autoimmune disorder. This case report suggests molecular mimicry between CHIKV and SS autoantigens could be a potential cause.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arbovirus causing rheumatic diseases.
- Sjögren syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disorder.
- No prior association between CHIKV and SS has been documented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the first case of Sjögren syndrome (SS) associated with Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection.
- To investigate the potential pathogenetic link between CHIKV and SS.
Main Methods:
- Clinical case presentation of a 49-year-old female with CHIKV infection.
- Diagnostic workup including serological tests for CHIKV, antinuclear antibodies, and anti-Ro/SS-A.
- Diagnostic tests for SS: Schirmer test, Rose Bengal, and salivary scintigraphy.
- Sequence analysis of CHIKV proteome against SS autoantigens.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with polyarthralgia, rash, and polyarthritis.
- Positive CHIKV IgM serology and autoantibodies (ANA, anti-Ro/SS-A) confirmed CHIKV infection and suggested autoimmunity.
- SS diagnostic criteria were met, confirming co-occurrence of SS.
- Peptide sharing was observed between CHIKV and SS autoantigens.
Conclusions:
- This is the first reported case linking Chikungunya virus infection with Sjögren syndrome.
- The findings support the hypothesis of autoimmune cross-reactivity (molecular mimicry) as a potential mechanism linking CHIKV to SS.
- Further research is warranted to explore the role of viral infections in the development of autoimmune diseases like SS.
Keywords:
ArbovirusesAutoantibodiesAutoimmunityChikungunya infectionMolecular mimicrySjögren syndromeMore Related Videos
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