Occurrence of Arthralgia and Specific IgM Antibodies Three to Four Years After Ockelbo Disease

Sindbis Virus Infection in Resident Birds, Migratory Birds, and Humans, Finland

“…In those 60-69 years of age, almost one sixth of the population had immunity to SINV. Considering the high infection rate and that the infection may cause prolonged joint symptoms (20,(33)(34)(35), even objectively observed by a physician (36), the disease is a potential public health concern. In 1982 in Sweden, most of the 65 serologically diagnosed cases occurred in August.…”

Arthrogenic Alphaviruses and Inflammatory Myopathies

“…The serology profile during the course of infection has been documented by numerous studies, showing that viraemia lasts 5-7 days (acute infection), with a subsequent IgM+/IgG-sub-acute infection progressing for a further week until IgG antibodies are detected and in some cases IgM was still detectable (Staikowsky et al, 2009). Interestingly, it has been reported that levels of IgM have remained high for months and even years in many cases of alphavirus infection (Chopra et al, 2008;Kurkela et al, 2005;Niklasson et al, 1988). In addition, it has been suggested that the presence of IgM may serve as a marker for viral persistence, whereby latent infection may be linked to the long term disease sequelae and chronic pathologies associated with alphavirus infection, including the on-going inflammatory myopathies (Jaffar-Bandjee et al, 2009) A study by Ozden et al, analysed muscle biopsies of CHIKV-infected patients providing new insight into CHIKV pathogenesis in muscle tissues .…”

“…The question that remains is whether, in cases of IIM where virus antigen is no-longer detected, is it possible that virus persistence at an earlier stage triggers an immune response which continues for prolonged periods? There have been numerous studies on the potential long-term disease sequelae due to alphavirus infection, suggesting that long-term chronic illness, lasting for years, may occur (Fraser, 1986;Harley et al, 2002;Laine et al, 2000;Mylonas et al, 2002;Niklasson & Espmark, 1986;Niklasson et al, 1988). However these studies have been unable to conclusively demonstrate alphaviruses as the cause of the symptoms presented.…”

Sindbis-Group Alphavirus Replication in Periosteum and Endosteum of Long Bones in Adult Mice

“…Ross River virus antigen has been detected in cell aspirates from the joints of acutely infected individuals (6). Furthermore, patients suffering from persistent arthralgia following Ockelbo virus infection often have high levels of Ockelbo virus-specific immunoglobulin M, which suggests that the virus may persistently infect these individuals (19).…”