Virological, Serological and Clinical Analysis of Chikungunya Virus Infection in Thai Patients

Abstract

From 2018 to 2020, the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) outbreak re-emerged in Thailand with a record of more than 10,000 cases up until the end of 2020. Here, we studied acute CHIKV-infected patients who had presented to the Bangkok Hospital for Tropical Diseases from 2019 to 2020 by assessing the relationship between viral load, clinical features, and serological profile. The results from our study showed that viral load was significantly high in patients with fever, headache, and arthritis. We also determined the neutralizing antibody titer in response to the viral load in patients, and our data support the evidence that an effective neutralizing antibody response against the virus is important for control of the viral load. Moreover, the phylogenetic analysis revealed that the CHIKV strains we studied belonged to the East, Central, and Southern African (ECSA) genotype, of the Indian ocean lineage (IOL), and possessed E1-K211E and E1-I317V mutations. Thus, this study provides insight for a better understanding of CHIKV pathogenesis in acute infection, along with the genomic diversity of the current CHIKV strains circulating in Thailand.

The Ross-Mcdonald model revisited: linking transmission and within-host dynamics

“…In this work, it is clear that the length of pathogen clearance time is positively associated with higher concentrations of parasites. For Zika, 22 reports relatively long viremias in whole blood samples in human hosts, of more than 26 days, while in macaques 23 , the highest viremia was reported for intermediate duration (in macaques the viremia length ranges from 2 to 7 days); for Chikungunya, 24 , the higher frequency of high viremia in human hosts occurred also on the 7 day of symptom onset (symptom onset occurs in the interval 1-20 in this study). As we discussed in the text, the between-host reproduction number will be greater than one only until enough infection has accumulated so as to sufficiently increase the ratio x ′ = T * (t)m/λ .…”

A simple within-host, between-host model for a vector-transmitted disease

“…In this work it is clear that the length of pathogen clearance time is positively associated with higher concentrations of parasites. For Zika, [22] reports relatively long viremias in whole blood samples in human hosts, of more than 26 days, while in macaques [23], the highest viremia was reported for intermediate duration (in macaques the viremia length ranges form 2 to 7 days); for Chikungunya, [24], the higher frequency of high viremia in human hosts occurred also on the…”

“…In this work it is clear that the length of pathogen clearance time is positively associated with higher concentrations of parasites. For Zika, [22] reports relatively long viremias in whole blood samples in human hosts, of more than 26 days, while in macaques [23], the highest viremia was reported for intermediate duration (in macaques the viremia length ranges form 2 to 7 days); for Chikungunya, [24], the higher frequency of high viremia in human hosts occurred also on the 7 day of symptom onset (symptom onset occurs in the interval 1-20 in this study). The model we develop and analyze in this work integrates in a simple and direct manner, the interplay of epidemiological dynamics and within-host immune-virus interaction dynamics.…”

Viral load: We need a new look at an old problem?

“…[71][72][73] Chikungunya virus Marker of disease severity and potential complications, such as arthritis. [74] Rift Valley fever virus Marker of disease progression, severe clinical presentations, such as hemorrhagic fever, and multiorgan dysfunction.…”

“…Studies have shown that patients with fever, headache, and arthritis exhibit significantly higher viral loads, indicating active viral replication and potentially more severe clinical manifestations. 74 Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), belonging to the Bunyavirales order, Phenuiviridae family and the Phlebovirus genus, is an arbovirus that primarily affects animals but can also infect humans. It is transmitted by mosquitoes, particularly those of the Aedes and Culex genera, and causes a range of clinical manifestations, including severe fever, hemorrhagic fever, and encephalitis.…”