September 20, 2025Open Access

Characterizing Chikungunya: A Study of Clinical Symptoms, Laboratory Parameters, and Therapeutics

RARahil AroraArmed Forces Medical College SSSantosh Kumar SinghDr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University RVRohit VashishtInstitute of Management Technology

Key Points

Chikungunya fever shows 100% incidence of fever and symmetrical polyarthralgia with significant morbidity in patients.
Coinfections were found in 5.5% of those studied, highlighting the need for screening in persistent tropical diseases.
Laboratory findings revealed leukopenia and thrombocytopenia in notable proportions, indicating severe disease impact.
Severe neurological complications were rare but included cases of encephalitis and cerebellitis treated successfully with IVIG.

Abstract

A BSTRACT Background: Chikungunya fever is a re-emerging viral infection of global importance, transmitted to humans by infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The disease typically presents with fever, joint pain, and skin rashes, but recent outbreaks, particularly in India, have highlighted severe complications, including neurological symptoms and coinfections, exacerbating disease severity in high-risk populations. Objective: This study aims to explore the clinical profile of chikungunya infection in a tertiary care hospital in Maharashtra, India, and to examine associated complications, comorbidities, and treatment outcomes. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted from June to September 2024 on 262 confirmed chikungunya patients. Patients were included if they presented with acute febrile illness, arthralgia/arthritis, with or without rashes, and were confirmed via chikungunya RT-PCR or IgM/ELISA. Routine investigations included CBC, liver and renal function tests, and screening for coinfections like dengue and leptospirosis. Results: The study population consisted of 170 males and 92 females, with a mean age of 35 years. Fever and symmetrical polyarthralgia were seen in 100% of patients, primarily affecting small joints. Skin lesions were present in 70%, with maculopapular rashes being the most common. Laboratory findings included leukopenia in 46.9% and thrombocytopenia in 56.9% of cases. Coinfections with tropical diseases were noted in 5.5% of patients. Severe neurological complications were rare but included one case of fatal encephalitis and another of cerebellitis successfully treated with IVIG. Conclusion: Chikungunya remains an under-recognized public health threat, with significant morbidity, particularly in high-risk populations with chronic diseases. The emergence of more severe forms of the disease, including neurological complications, highlights the need for vigilant diagnosis, timely supportive care, and robust vector control strategies. Mortality is rare, but chronic symptoms, especially musculoskeletal involvement, persist in a significant number of patients, impacting quality of life.

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