Chikungunya and Dengue Viruses in Travelers
Author Information
Author(s): Nicoletti Loredana, Ciccozzi Massimo, Marchi Antonella, Fioretini Cristiano, Martucci Patrizia, D’Ancona Fortunato, degli Atti Marta Ciofi, Pompa Maria Grazia, Rezza Giovanni, Ciufolini Maria Grazia
Primary Institution: Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
Hypothesis
What are the predictors of Chikungunya and Dengue virus infections among travelers returning from endemic areas?
Conclusion
A high proportion of travelers with symptoms of CHIKV infection from outbreak areas were seropositive, while a lower proportion had antibodies to DENV.
Supporting Evidence
- 29 out of 76 travelers tested positive for CHIKV.
- 13 out of 76 travelers tested positive for DENV.
- 75.9% of CHIKV-positive travelers had visited the Indian Ocean islands.
- Travelers from Indian Ocean islands had a higher risk for CHIKV infection than those who visited Africa or Asia.
- A rash was more common among CHIKV-positive patients than in DENV-infected patients.
Takeaway
Travelers who got sick after visiting certain areas were often found to have a virus called Chikungunya, and some had another virus called Dengue.
Methodology
The study involved diagnostic tests and analysis of predictors of infection among travelers with symptoms suggestive of CHIKV and DENV.
Limitations
Only 5 patients had documented seroconversion for CHIKV, and PCR for early detection was not used in most cases.
Participant Demographics
55.3% male, median age 39 years, most were Italian.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI 1.60–119.13 for CHIKV risk from Indian Ocean islands.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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