A safe and convenient chikungunya-pseudotyped lentiviral vector for epidemiological studies on chikungunya virus in Thailand

摘要

Background: A 2004 outbreak of chikungunya (CHIK) fever emerged in Kenya and spread to many countries, affecting millions of people. During this outbreak, CHIK virus (CHIKV) adapted genetically (by E1-A226?V substitution) to a mosquito vector, Aedes albopictus, that resides in a broad area including Europe, North America, and East Asia. Thus, CHIKV fever is now a serious worldwide public health concern. Although typical symptoms of CHIK fever are relatively mild, including fever and rash, the disease can progressto chronic arthritis, neurological disease, and even death.