Infection of Myofibers Contributes to Increased Pathogenicity during Infection with an Epidemic Strain of Chikungunya Virus

Abstract

CHIKV is an emerging pathogen that causes significant morbidity. Little is known about the pathogenesis of the disease, and this study suggests that the ability of a recent epidemic strain to infect myofibers results in increased disease severity. Better understanding of how CHIKV causes disease contributes to the ultimate goal of creating therapeutics to alleviate the impact of this debilitating virus.