Resumen

CERVANTES-ACOSTA, Guillermo  y  SANJUAN-VERGARA, Homero. Chikungunya Virus: Viral Features and Genetic Evolution. Salud, Barranquilla [online]. 2016, vol.32, n.2, pp.292-301. ISSN 0120-5552.

Abstract Chikungunya virus belongs to the Alphavirus genus of the family Togaviridae. It is transmitted by arthropods, in particular by the biting of mosquito species such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The characteristic clinical course of the infection includes fever, arthralgia, and rash. Since it was reported on 1952 on the borders of Tanzania and Mozambique, it has been triggered outbreaks with tremendous epidemiological significance. Recently an outbreak was caused in the Americas by an apparent Asian strain of this virus. In this review we present its phylogeny, structure and genome organization. We will emphasize the mechanism of replication and gene expression. Finally, the virus-host interaction and its mechanisms of adaptation to specific vectors are also discussed.

Palabras clave : chikungunya virus; arboviruses; viral genome; genetic evolution; viral replication; vectors.

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