Inflammation, fibrosis and E1 glycoprotein persistence in joint tissue of patients with post-Chikungunya chronic articular disease

ABSTRACT Introduction: Chikungunya chronic joint disease causes debilitating arthralgia, significantly impacting the quality of life of affected individuals. Methods: In this study, patients underwent clinical follow-ups, joint biopsies, and pre-biopsy and 24 months post-biopsy serum dosage of cytokines. Results: All participants were female and had pain in 12 joints on average, with 41.17% exhibiting moderate disease activity. Histopathological analysis revealed collagen deposition. Indirect immunofluorescence detected the CHIKV glycoprotein E1 antigen, and an increase in cytokines. Conclusions: Persistent inflammation and ineffective antiviral immune responses leading to antigen persistence may contribute to chronic CHIKV arthritis.