Background:
Chikungunya virus (CHIK) is a small positive sense RNA virus with a genome of almost 11800 nucleotides from the genus Alphavirus and family Togaviridae. Chikungunya virus is most often spread to people by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes which can also spread Dengue viruses. The virus can, in some occasions, be transmitted horizontally from mother to new born baby around the time of birth. Chikungunya virus infections can cause fever, joint pain, headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. In some occasions the symptoms can be severe but do not result in death. It is advisable to seek medical advice since the symptoms are very similar to those with Zika Virus and Dengue virus infections.
There is no vaccine and no treatment for Chikungunya. The best way to avoid infection is to avoid mosquito bites.
Sample requirements:
It is best to collect a serum sample (0.5 mL minimum) in the first 3-5 days of symptoms.
Shipping requirement:
Samples must be shipped on ice packs or dry ice. Please follow shipping regulations (Category B). All samples must be accompanied by a physician’s test request and a form of payment. We cannot accept samples from NY State physicians.
Test offered:
Real Time RT-PCR
Turnaround time:
1-7 business days.
Cost:
$350
References:
Manual of Clinical Microbiology. Jorgensen, J.H., Paller, M.A., Carrol, K.C., Funke, G., Landry, M.L., Richter, S.S. and Warnock, D.D. 11th Edition, Volume II, 2015. ASM Press.