Chikungunya Infection in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Resource type
Journal Article
Title
Chikungunya Infection in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients
Abstract
Background Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an emerging mosquito-borne disease that causes acute febrile polyarthralgia and arthritis. CHIKV has spread rapidly to the Americas and, in Brazil, autochthonous cases are increasingly been reported. Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients who travel to or live in CHIKV endemic areas are under high risk of acquiring the disease. Few data exist regarding the clinical characteristics of CHIKV infections in this population. We report the first case series of CHIKV infection in SOT recipients. Methods We retrospectively evaluated 13 cases of CHIKV infection in SOT recipients between January 2016 and December 2016 confirmed by laboratory tests and transplanted in the Renal and Liver Transplant Units of Walter Cantídio University Hospital from Federal University of Ceará. Results Positive CHIKV serology (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay immunoglobulin M) was found in all patients (9 kidney and 4 liver transplant recipients). All of these patients had been living in endemic areas for dengue and CHIKV in the past months before the illness. The mean time between transplantation and CHIKV infection was of 7.2 years. Fever presented in 11 (84.6%) patients and 5 (38.5%) presented with a maculopapular rash. All cases had joint symptoms: 11 (84.6%) with symmetrical and peripheral polyarthralgia/polyarthritis and 2 (15.3%) with monoarthralgia/monoarthritis. Six (46%) patients had a joint complaint that lasted 3 months. Two patients had concomitant positive dengue serology (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay immunoglobulin M). There were no cases of complications or deaths. Conclusion SOT with CHIKV infection seems to have a clinical presentation and evolution similar to those seen in the general population, with no apparent damage to the graft.
Publication
Transplantation Proceedings
Date
2017-11-01
Volume
49
Issue
9
Pages
2076-2081
Journal Abbr
Transplantation Proceedings
Accessed
6/4/22, 1:39 PM
ISSN
0041-1345
Language
en
Library Catalog
ScienceDirect
Citation
Girão, E. S., Rodrigues dos Santos, B. G., do Amaral, E. S., Costa, P. E. G., Pereira, K. B., de Araujo Filho, A. H., Hyppolito, E. B., Mota, M. U., Marques, L. C. B. F., Costa de Oliveira, C. M., da Silva, S. L., Garcia, J. H. P., & Fernandes, P. F. C. B. C. (2017). Chikungunya Infection in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients. Transplantation Proceedings, 49(9), 2076–2081. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.transproceed.2017.07.004