Unraveling the Complexity of Chikungunya Virus Infection Immunological and Genetic Insights in Acute and Chronic Patients

Background: The chikungunya virus (CHIKV), transmitted by infected Aedes mosquitoes, has caused a significant number of infections worldwide. In Brazil, the emergence of the CHIKV-ECSA genotype in 2014 posed a major public health challenge due to its association with more severe symptoms. Objectives/Methods: This study aimed to shed new light on the host immune response by examining the whole-blood transcriptomic profile of both CHIKV-acute and chronically infected individuals from Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil, a region heavily affected by CHIKV, Dengue, and Zika virus epidemics. Results: Our data reveal complex symptomatology characterized by arthralgia and post-chikungunya neuropathy in individuals with chronic sequelae, particularly affecting women living in socially vulnerable situations. Analysis of gene modules suggests heightened metabolic processes, represented by an increase in NADH, COX5A, COA3, CYC1, and cap methylation in patients with acute disease. In contrast, individuals with chronic manifestations exhibit a distinct pattern of histone methylation, probably mediated by NCOA3 in the coactivation of different nuclear receptors, KMT2 genes, KDM3B and TET2, and with alterations in the immunological response, majorly led by IL-17RA, IL-6R, and STAT3 Th17 genes. Conclusion: Our results emphasize the complexity of CHIKV disease progression, demonstrating the heterogeneous gene expression and symptomatologic scenario across both acute and chronic phases. Moreover, the identification of specific gene modules associated with viral pathogenesis provides critical insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying these distinct clinical manifestations.