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Association Between Chikungunya Infection and Rheumatoid Arthritis in Taiwan-A Cross-Sectional Study
Chang-Yi Yen1,2, Chang-Chi Lin3,4, Ping-Chang Lin5
1Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases
|August 5, 2026
Summary
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection may lead to chronic arthritis. This study found no significant association between CHIKV and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Taiwan, highlighting limitations in current serological diagnostic assays for CHIKV.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection can cause chronic arthritis mimicking rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- Investigating CHIKV's role in RA pathogenesis is crucial, especially in non-endemic regions like Taiwan.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential link between CHIKV infection and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Taiwan.
- To assess CHIKV seropositivity in RA patients compared to healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 98 RA patients and 200 healthy controls.
- Serum CHIKV IgM and IgG tested using commercial ELISA kits (Abcam, Euroimmun) and an in-house neutralization assay.
- Analysis of associations between CHIKV seropositivity and autoantibodies; evaluation of assay agreement.
Main Results:
- Neutralizing antibodies detected in 2/98 RA patients; none in controls (p=0.107).
- No association found between CHIKV IgM/IgG seropositivity and common RA autoantibodies.
- Poor agreement observed between neutralization assays and commercial ELISA kits, indicating assay limitations.
Conclusions:
- The study lacked sufficient power to establish a causal link between CHIKV and RA.
- Significant discrepancies among serological assays highlight challenges in diagnosing CHIKV infection.
- Further research is needed to clarify the role of CHIKV in chronic arthritis.
