An Overview of Indian Biomedical Research on the Chikungunya Virus with Particular Reference to Its Vaccine, an Unmet Medical Need

Abstract

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an infectious agent spread by mosquitos, that has engendered endemic or epidemic outbreaks of Chikungunya fever (CHIKF) in Africa, South-East Asia, America, and a few European countries. Like most tropical infections, CHIKV is frequently misdiagnosed, underreported, and underestimated; it primarily affects areas with limited resources, like developing nations. Due to its high transmission rate and lack of a preventive vaccine or effective treatments, this virus poses a serious threat to humanity. After a 32-year hiatus, CHIKV reemerged as the most significant epidemic ever reported, in India in 2006. Since then, CHIKV-related research was begun in India, and up to now, more than 800 peer-reviewed research papers have been published by Indian researchers and medical practitioners. This review gives an overview of the outbreak history and CHIKV-related research in India, to favor novel high-quality research works intending to promote effective treatment and preventive strategies, including vaccine development, against CHIKV infection.

Human health implications of emerging diseases and the current situation in India's vaccine industry

“…Bharat Biotech has developed an inactivated and highly purified CHIKV immunogenic formulation (BBV87) for use as a vaccine. Phase 1 clinical trials successfully elicited an immunological response against CHIKV [ 24 ].

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Chikungunya Virus Vaccine: An Update Review

“…The RNA genome of CHIKV encodes four non-structural proteins (nsP1 to nsP4) that are required for virus replication and three structural proteins (Capsid, E1 and E2) together with two small cleavage products (E3 and 6K). The E1 and E2 glycoproteins regulate the entry of viruses into host cells; E1 is involved in the fusion of the virus with the cell membrane, whereas E2 interacts with the receptors on cells and aids in cell attachment [4,7,8]. The E2 glycoprotein has been identified as the primary target for the anti-CHIKV antibody response throughout the illness [3].…”

Vaccine Development against Infectious Diseases: State of the Art, New Insights, and Future Directions

“…With increasing seroprevalence data, this study contributes to our understanding of the disease's dynamics post-vaccination [13]. In the context of the Chikungunya virus, one article discusses the outbreak history of CHIKV in India and emphasizes the subsequent necessity to advance knowledge for effective treatment and preventive strategies [14].…”