Chikungunya IgG (human) ELISA

Chikungunya virus is an arthropod borne virus of the genus Alphavirus (family Togaviridae). The Alphavirus genus contains at least 24 distinct species. These are lipid-enveloped virions with a diameter of 50 to 60 nm. Alphavirus infections are initiated by the bite of an infected mosquito, which results in the deposition of virus in subcutaneous and possibly cutaneous tissues. After an incubation period of 1 to 12 days the Chikungunya fever develops. Chikungunya fever (Chikungunya means “that which bends up”, in reference to the crippling manifestations of the disease) is an acute viral infection characterized by a rapid transition from a state of good health to illness that includes severe arthralgia and fever. Temperature rises abruptly to as high as 40 °C and is often accompanied by shaking chills. After a few days, fever may abate and recrudesce, giving rise to a “saddleback” fever curve. Arthralgia is polyarticular, favoring the small joints and sites of previous injuries, and is most intense on arising. Patients typically avoid movement as much as possible. Joints may swell without significant fluid accumulations. These symptoms may last from 1 week to several months and are accompanied by myalgia. The rash characteristically appears on the first day of illness, but onset may be delayed. It usually arises as a flush over the face and neck, which evolves to a maculopapular or macular form that may be pruritic. The latter lesions appear on the trunk, limbs, face, plams and soles, in that order of frequency. Petechial skin lesions have also been noted. Headache, photophobia, retro-orbitral pain, sore throat with objective signs of pharyngitis, nausea and vomiting also occur in this setting. Occasionally, however persistent arthralgia and polyarthritis (lasting months or even years) do occur, sometimes involving joint destruction. Even rarer, sequelae include encephalitis and meningoencephalitis with high lethality rates. The virus has major importance in Africa and Asia. From 20 % to more than 90 % of the population of tropical and subtropical show serologic evidence of infection. Because Aedes mosquitoes are increasingly prevalent in North Africa and South America, where the population would be uniformly susceptible to infection, the possibility for epidemics is evident. Chikungunya virus infections are imported to central Europe mainly by travellers to tropical and subtropical countries. The presence of virus resp. infection may be identified by • Serology: Detection of antibodies by IF, ELISA