First case of imported chikungunya infection in Croatia, 2016

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Boris Lukšić
• Author: Nenad Pandak
• Author: Edita Dražić-Maras
• Author: Svjetlana Karabuva
• Author: Mislav Radić
• Author: Andrea Babić-Erceg
• Author: Ljubo Barbić
• Author: Vladimir Stevanović
• Author: Tatjana Vilibić-Čavlek
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences

Abstract (english)

In recent years, several European countries reported cases of imported chikungunya infection. We present the first imported clinically manifested chikungunya fever in Croatia. A 27-year-old woman returned to Croatia on 21 March 2016, after she stayed in Costa Rica for two months where she had noticed a mosquito bite on her left forearm. Five days after the mosquito bite she developed severe arthralgias, fever and erythematous papular rash. In next few days symptoms gradually subsided. After ten days she felt better, but arthralgias re-appeared accompanied with morning stiffness. Two weeks after the onset of the disease she visited the infectious diseases outpatient department. The physical examination revealed rash on the trunk, extremities, palms and soles. Laboratory findings showed slightly elevated liver transaminases. Serological tests performed on day 20 after disease onset showed a high titer of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) IgM and IgG antibodies which indicated CHIKV infection. CHIKV-RNA was not detected. Serology to dengue and Zika virus was negative. The patient was treated with nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs and paracetamol. Her symptoms ameliorated, however, three months later she still complaint of arthralgias. The presented case highlights the need for inclusion of CHIKV in the differential diagnosis of arthralgia in all travelers returning from countries with documented CHIKV transmission.

• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: International Medical Case Reports Journal
• Numbering: vol. 10, pp. 117-121
• p-ISSN: 1179-142X
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/IMCRJ.S130210
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:357013
• Publication: 2017-04-03
• Document URL: https://doi.org/10.2147/IMCRJ.S130210
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-03-28 09:14:48