A substantial proportion of chikungunya virus patients experience long-term consequences that extend far beyond the acute infection phase. Research indicates that up to 40% of infected individuals develop persistent joint symptoms lasting over six months, significantly impacting quality of life and functional capacity. This alarming statistic has prompted intensive investigation into the underlying mechanisms driving chronic disease progression. Emerging evidence suggests that genetic factors—particularly variations in immune response genes and HLA polymorphisms—play a crucial role in determining which patients will suffer prolonged complications. The chronic phase of chikungunya is characterized by low-level viral persistence combined with sustained immune activation, distinguishing it from the acute viremic stage. As chikungunya transmission spreads across multiple continents, affecting 122 countries since 2010, identifying patients at high genetic risk for chronic outcomes has become a clinical priority. Read the full article on GMJ Newsroom.
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