Human CD8 T‐cell activation in acute and chronic chikungunya infection

Summary There is a need for more detailed elucidation of T‐cell immunity in chikungunya infection. CD 8 T cells are one of main actors against viruses. Here, we analysed CD 8 + T lymphocytes from patients in the acute and chronic phases of chikungunya disease ( CHIKD ). Our results demonstrate that CD 8 + T cells expressed higher ex vivo granzyme B, perforin and CD 107A expression in patients in the acute phase of CHIKD compared with healthy individuals and higher ex vivo expression of CD 69, interleukin‐17A, interleukin‐10 and CD 95 ligand, and co‐expression of CD 95/ CD 95 ligand. These results elucidate the importance of these lymphocytes, demonstrating immune mechanisms mediated in human chikungunya infection.