Detection of Chikungunya Virus RNA in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients with Severe Neurological Disorders

Arboviruses are widespread etiological agents related to mild to severe diseases and could lead to death. In Brazil cases of Chikungunya (CHIKV) and Zika virus infection are reported, being important public health problems. In this investigation, we aimed discuss about five cases of neurological patients with positivity of CHIKV in cerebrospinal fluid . This is a case series study including five patients with neurological symptoms in long term without any other clinical or laboratory condition related except referred acute symptoms of CHIKV-like infection previously. Five patients with motor neuron disease, Behçet syndrome, Parkinsonism, normal pressure hydrocephalus, and encephalitis were shown to be RT-qPCR positive for CHIKV in their cerebrospinal fluid, months after acute viral-like symptoms. The association of CHIKV RNA positivity with neurological disturbances is clinically important, and further research is needed to clarify the role of the virus in underlying mechanisms of disease neuro-immunopathology.