Biomarkers for Severity of Chikungunya Fever Identified

Filed in archive Diagnostics, Methodologies and Instrumentation on March 5, 2009

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Researchers have identified three specific biomarkers which can provide an accurate indication of the severity of Chikungunya fever (CHIKF), a viral illness that, like dengue fever, is transmitted by mosquitoes.

Based on blood samples obtained from 10 patients who developed the disease during Singapore's CHIKF outbreak in January 2008, the scientists found that the levels of three specific biological factors, namely interleukin-1 beta, (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and RANTES, distinguished patients with the severe form of the disease from those in whom the infection was mild.

The scientists discovered that an increase in the levels of IL-1β and IL-6, with a concomitant decrease in RANTES, was an indication of a severe form of CHIKF. This finding would allow for quicker and more accurate prognosis of infected patients.

The scientists also found out that the level of RANTES was lower in patients with severe CHIKF, as compared to those with dengue. This result could potentially enable doctors and scientists to quickly make a distinction between CHIKF and dengue fever - two diseases that present clinically similar symptoms.

The study has been published in the Public Library of Science (PLoS) ONE on 21 January 2009.