Large-scale outbreak of Chikungunya virus infection in Thailand, 2018–2019

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247314
• Publication Date: 2021-03-10T18:27:02Z
• Authors: Sarawut Khongwichit; Jira Chansaenroj; Thanunrat Thongmee; Saovanee Benjaman...; Nasamon Wanlapakorn; Chintana Chiratha...; Yong Poovorawan
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Adolescent; Genotype; Science; Immunology; FOS: Health sciences; Antibodies, Viral; Gene; Disease Outbreaks; 03 medical and health sciences; Virology; Health Sciences; Genetics; Humans; Global Impact of Arboviral Diseases; Child; Biology; Antibody; Aged; Likelihood Functions; 0303 health sciences; FOS: Clinical medicine; Q; R; Age Factors; Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health; Infant; Outbreak; Middle Aged; Malaria; Virus; 3. Good health; Infectious Diseases; Immunoglobulin M; Child, Preschool; Immunoglobulin G; FOS: Biological sciences; Mutation; Chikungunya Fever; Medicine; Female; Chikungunya; Chikungunya virus; Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers and Zoonotic Infections; Research Article

Between 2018 and 2019, the incidence of chikungunya was approximately 15,000 cases across 60 provinces in Thailand. Here, clinical presentations chikungunya, emergent pattern, genomic diversity virus (CHIKV) causing this massive outbreak were demonstrated. A total 1,806 sera samples from suspected collected 13 Thailand, tested for presence CHIKV RNA, IgG, IgM using real-time PCR, enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA), commercial (rapid test). The phylogenetic tree whole-genome E1 constructed maximum-likelihood method. infection confirmed 547 (42.2%) male 748 (57.8%) female patients by positive PCR results and/or antibody titers. Unsurprisingly, RNA detected >80% between 1 5 days after symptom onset, whereas anti-CHIKV detectable >90% day 6. Older age clearly one risk factors development arthralgia infected patients. Although analysis revealed that present Thailand strain 2018–2020 belongs to East, Central, Southern African (ECSA) genotype similar strains caused outbreaks during 2008–2009 2013, all clustered within recent an South Asia. Interestingly, possess two mutations, E1-K211E, E2-V264A, background E1-226A. These mutations are reported be associated with virus-adapted Aedes aegypti . Taken together, it likely occurred as a result importation Understanding viral genetic is essential epidemiological study may contribute better disease management preventive measures.