Chikungunya strikes the golden years - the unexpected visitor

Zainulabid, Ummu Afeera and Ab Karim, Muhammad Afiq and Kori, Najma and Hussin, Fara Rahidah and Mahadzir, Hazlina and Periyasamy, Petrick (2023) Chikungunya strikes the golden years - the unexpected visitor. In: APCCMI 2023 The 19th Asia Pacific Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infection & The 26th Conference of the Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology, 6-8 Jul 2023, Seoul, Korea. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Chikungunya, a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes, has rapidly spread worldwide in recent years. While typically viewed as a self-limiting illness, this disease can trigger severe and debilitating symptoms, especially in elderly patients with underlying conditions. First described during an outbreak in southern Tanzania in 1952, it has now been identified in nearly 40 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and, most recently, the Americas. Symptoms usually begin 4 to 8 days after a mosquito bite. However, they can appear anywhere from 2 to 12 days. Here, we present an intriguing case report of a senior citizen with multiple comorbidities, who experienced a week of acute onset of fever, excruciating joint pain involving both ankles and wrists, and macular rash more prominently on the lower limbs. With no history of recent travel or water activity and mainly home-bound, the patient's initial lab results revealed a viral picture with a white cell count of 6.8 x 109/L, a hemoglobin level of 12.5 g/dL, and a platelet count of 184 x 109/L. Extensive investigations for tropical infections like dengue and leptospirosis yielded negative results. Autoimmune screening was not significant. However, her Chikungunya IgM was positive, indicating recent chikungunya infection. This case report underscores the significance of considering chikungunya as a differential diagnosis in elderly patients with fever and joint pain. Moreover, it highlights an urgent need for further research on optimal management strategies for this disease in the aging population.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Poster)
Additional Information:	7459/106100
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Chikungunya, mosquitoes, Chikungunya IgM
Subjects:	R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC111 Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Medicine Kulliyyah of Medicine > Department of Internal Medicine
Depositing User:	Asst. Dr. Ummu Afeera Zainulabid
Date Deposited:	27 Sep 2023 14:23
Last Modified:	04 Oct 2023 11:25
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/106100

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