Seroprevalence of Chikungunya Infection in Pyretic Children : The Alupe Phenomenon

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an emerging mosquito-borne alphavirus infamous for widespread outbreaks of debilitating human disease. CHIKV invasion of susceptible cells is mediated by two viral glycoproteins, E1 and E2, which carry the main antigenic determinants and form an icosahedral shell at the virion surface. Chikungunya fever is a viral disease transmitted to humans majorly by a bite of infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Studies have revealed that other species of Aedes mosquitoes equally transmit chikungunya virus (CHIKV). This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of CHIKV in febrile children seeking treatment in Alupe District Hospital, Busia Kenya.A detailed clinical history and socio-demographic information of the study participants was taken by the clinician after signing a consent form. Whole blood of about 5 ml was collected in vacutainers, centrifuged to obtain serum for antibody detection. The serum was stored in cryogenic vials. Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Plaque Reduction Neutralisation Test (PRNT) were performed to detect the chikungunya antibodies