Ultrasonographic evidence of persistent synovitis in a chikungunya-infected service member

Abstract

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arthropod-borne alphavirus initially endemic to Central and East Africa but now spreading to Asia, Europe, and most recently the Western hemisphere. CHIKV infection initially presents as an acute, nonspecific febrile syndrome with rash and polyarthralgia, later leading to a chronic arthritis clinically similar to rheumatoid arthritis. We report a case of an active duty military member infected with CHIKV while deployed to Central America, who developed chronic arthritis. Active duty military members are at higher risk of contracting CHIKV because of deployment to countries with a high prevalence of this mosquito-borne illness. Severe chronic arthritis can result from CHIKV, resulting in serious impact on fitness for military duty.