Is chikungunya DNA or RNA?
The virus was initially isolated from a Tanzanian patient in 1953. Similar to other alphaviruses, chikungunya virus is made up of a single strand of RNA that is about 12,000 nucleotides long.
How chikungunya is detected?
Several methods can be used for diagnosis of chikungunya virus infection. Serological tests, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), may confirm the presence of IgM and IgG anti-chikungunya antibodies. IgM antibody levels are highest 3 to 5 weeks after the onset of illness and persist for about 2 months.
What is genetic material of chikungunya virus?
Virology. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), is a member of the genus Alphavirus, and family Togaviridae. It was first isolated in 1953 in Tanzania and is an RNA virus with a positive-sense single-stranded genome of about 11.6kb.
What is the structure of chikungunya virus?
CHIKV is a small, enveloped, virus with a positive-sense RNA genome ∼11.8 kb in length. The genome contains two open reading frames (ORF) flanked by 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs) and separated by a non-coding intergenic region.
Is chikungunya a genetic disease?
These results supported the hypothesis that CHIKV originated in Africa and was introduced into Asia from eastern Africa. The closely related o’nyong-nyong virus, previously hypothesized to be a mutant strain of CHIKV, was determined to be a genetically distinct virus species.
How does chikungunya virus reproduce?
Transmission of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) occurs following a mosquito (Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus) bite. CHIKV then replicates in the skin, in fibroblasts, and disseminates to the liver, muscle, joints, lymphoid tissue (lymph nodes and spleen) and brain. The target cells are indicated for each tissue.
How long will chikungunya last?
Most people recover fully, with symptoms resolving in three to 10 days. For some people, joint pain may continue for months, or even years. Death from complications of chikungunya is very rare, but the virus sometimes causes severe problems, mostly in older adults with other chronic illnesses.
What kind of mosquito carries chikungunya?
Chikungunya virus is most often spread to people by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. These are the same mosquitoes that transmit dengue virus. They bite during the day and at night.