Chikungunya virus: Update on molecular biology, epidemiology and current strategies


Submitted: 8 March 2019
Accepted: 28 March 2019
Published: 20 June 2019
Abstract Views: 2299
PDF: 664
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Authors

  • Debora Stelitano Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy.
  • Annalisa Chianese Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy.
  • Roberta Astorri Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy.
  • Enrica Serretiello Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy.
  • Carla Zannella Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy.
  • Veronica Folliero Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy.
  • Marilena Galdiero Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy.
  • Gianluigi Franci Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy.
  • Valeria Crudele Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy.
  • Mariateresa Vitiello Department of Clinical Pathology, Virology Unit, San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona Hospital, Salerno, Italy.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an arthropod-borne virus, is the aetiological agent of a disease characterized by several aspecific symptoms including fever, myalgia and arthralgia. The virus is primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito of Aedes genus. This virus was first isolated in Tanzania in 1953, from which it spread to other African countries, Asia, Northern and Southern America, Europe and Oceania. Today, many human cases of CHIKV infection have been identified. The diffusion of CHIKV across the world, including Italy, is due to multiple factors amongst which the wide distribution of its vectors and high transmission efficiency play a crucial role. Currently, there are no specific treatments and effective vaccines against CHIKV; indeed, available therapies allow symptoms mitigation and some promising vaccines are undergoing clinical trials. The purpose of this review is to offer an updated picture of CHIKV molecular biology, epidemiology and vector distribution, clinical features and strategies for infection prevention and treatment.


Supporting Agencies

VALEREplus program

Stelitano, D., Chianese, A., Astorri, R., Serretiello, E., Zannella, C., Folliero, V., Galdiero, M., Franci, G., Crudele, V., & Vitiello, M. (2019). Chikungunya virus: Update on molecular biology, epidemiology and current strategies. Translational Medicine Reports, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/tmr.8156

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