Serological investigation of Chikungunya viral infection in patients suspected with arboviral symptoms during a dengue outbreak on 2019 in São José do Rio Preto

Abstract

The Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), which was introduced in Brazil through theCaribbean, is transmitted by anthropophagic mosquitoes and has a great potential to generate explosive epidemics. One of its principal symptoms is a debilitating polyarthralgia/polyarthritis that can last for years. However, the CHKV infection can manifest also unspecific symptomatology, with fever, arthralgia, myalgia, cephalea, cutaneous eruptions, nausea, vomiting, and generalized discomfort, that is why it is considered one differential diagnosis in suspected cases of Dengue. Dengue Fever is anendemic disease in Brazil and it has already affected more than 100 countries. Currently, it is possible to find cases of Chikungunya Fever in African, Asian, European and American countries, including Brazil, due to the increased numbers of travels between countries and continents, the existence of heavily populated cities, the presence of the insect vector, as well as the confirmation of the circulation of the viruses on these regions. In São José do Rio Preto, previous studies have already confirmed the circulation of the CHIVK on the population, but studies on the seroprevalence and incidence of this disease are still necessary. (AU)