Joshi, PYadav, PMourya, DSahare, LUkey, MKhedekar, RPatil, DBarde, PV2020-04-102020-04-102020-01Joshi P, Yadav P, Mourya D, Sahare L, Ukey M, Khedekar R, Patil D, Barde PV. Laboratory surveillance of chikungunya in Madhya Pradesh, India (2016-2017). Indian Journal of Medical Research. 2020 Jan; 151(1): 87-920971-59160975-9174http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/196108Background & objectives: Chikungunya (CHIK) is a neglected, re-emerging arboviral disease. Limited information on CHIK-confirmed cases during interepidemic period is available from India. This surveillance study was conducted in Madhya Pradesh (MP), India, during the years 2016-2017, to provide information about CHIK cases. Methods: Blood samples collected from patients suspected having CHIK were tested by immunoglobulin (Ig) IgM ELISA or real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) for the detection of CHIK virus (CHIKV)-specific IgM antibodies or viral RNA, respectively. Partial envelope-1 gene sequencing was done. Clinical and demographic data were collected and analyzed. Results: Of the 4019 samples tested, 494 (12.2%) were found positive for CHIKV infection. The positivity was detected in both rural and urban areas. The mean age of CHIK-positive cases was 33.12�.25 yr. Headache and joint pain were the most prominent symptoms, 34.6 per cent (171/494) of the CHIK cases required hospitalization and six patients with CHIKV infection died. The East/Central/South African genotype of CHIKV was found to be circulating in the study area. Interpretation & conclusions: Our study recorded a higher CHIK positivity during 2016-2017 in comparison to earlier reports from MP, India. A high proportion of CHIK cases required hospitalization and deaths were also reported, which indicated the severity of the disease in the study area. In-depth molecular analysis of the virus and other risk factors is essential to understand the trends in disease severity.ChikungunyaCHIKVepidemiologygenotypeseverityJournal ArticleIndiaDivision of Virology and Zoonoses, ICMR-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, IndiaMaximum Containment Laboratory, ICMR-National Institute of Virology, Pune, Maharashtra, India