Insights into the interplay between chikungunya virus and its human host

Abstract

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a re-emerging arbovirus known to cause chronic arthritis with rare cases of neurological and hepatic complications. Nevertheless, infections with CHIKV can result in high morbidity and mortality rates. CHIKV is considered endemic in countries across Asia and Africa, with Europe and America also experiencing autochthonous transmission. This review highlights recent contributions to our understanding of the interactions between CHIKV and the human host. We focus on key factors contributing to disease manifestations observed in murine and simian models of CHIKV infection. Comparisons between CHIKV and Sindbis virus, the prototypic alphavirus, as well as other well-studied alphaviruses, are raised in relation to virus replication efficiency and host cell responses to infection. Recent advances concerning the role of host innate and humoral immune responses are also discussed. © 2011 Future Medicine Ltd.