Chickungunya Virus & Laboratory diagnosis

 Chickungunya Virus

 Chickungunya Virus was first isolated from human patients and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes from Tanzania in 1952. The name chickungunya is derived from the native word for the disease in which the patient lies doubled up in the bed due to severe joint pains.

 Pathogenesis: The disease in India is transmitted by the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Incubation period is 2-4 days.

 Clinical features: The disease is characterized by fever, chills, severe joint pains, headache, myalgia, backache, blurring of vision. Usually the disease is self limiting and full recovery takes place in 5-7 days.

 Differential Diagnosis: The clinical manifestations of this disease resemble that of dengue fever.

 Laboratory diagnosis:

 (1) Most commonly the diagnosis is made by detection of IgM antibodies by ELISA.

 (2) Rapid tests based on principle of immuno-chromatography for detection of IgG and IgM antibodies.

 (3) Inoculation in experimental animal e.g. suckling mice.

 (4) Cultivation using cell lines e.g. Vero, BHK-21 cell lines.