Microbiological Investigations for Chikungunya Virus in Children With Acute Encephalitis Syndrome in a Non-Outbreak Setting in Southern India.

ABSTRACT: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an emerging cause of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) in India, with limited data on its role in childhood AES in southern India. We systematically evaluated children with AES in southern India during a non-epidemic period for CHIKV. Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were tested for CHIKV using IgM ELISA and real-time reverse transcriptase PCR. Amplicon sequencing was performed on PCR-positive samples. Clinical and laboratory features were compared between children with and without CSF CHIKV positivity (PCR/IgM antibodies). Of 376 children with AES, 20 (5.3%) had positive CHIKV tests. Co-infections were common, particularly with scrub typhus. Children presented with diverse symptoms affecting various organ systems. Neurological manifestations include

SUBMITTER: Damodar T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11829551 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature