ABSTRACT
Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV). CHIKV is expanding at an alarming rate, potentially spreading and establishing endemicity in new areas where competent vectors are present. The dramatic spread of CHIKV in recent years highlights the urgent need to take precautionary measures and investigate options for control. It is crucial in developing nations where diagnostic tools are limited, and symptoms are similar to other prevalent diseases such as malaria and dengue. The most reliable method for diagnosing chikungunya virus is viral gene detection by RT-PCR. Alternative methods like detecting human antibody and viral antigen can also be used, especially in areas where resources are limited. In this review, we summarize the limited data on antigen detection immunoassays. We further explain the essential structural elements of the virus to help comprehend the scientific concepts underlying the testing methods, as well as future methods and diagnostic approaches under investigation.
ABSTRACT
The HIV Research for Prevention (HIVR4P) conference is dedicated to advancing HIV prevention research, responding to a growing consensus that effective and durable prevention will require a combination of approaches as well as unprecedented collaboration among scientists, practitioners, and community workers from different fields and geographic areas. The conference theme in 2018, "From Research to Impact," acknowledged an increasing focus on translation of promising research findings into practical, accessible, and affordable HIV prevention options for those who need them worldwide. HIVR4P 2018 was held in Madrid, Spain, on 21-25 October, with >1,400 participants from 52 countries around the globe, representing all aspects of HIV prevention research and implementation. The program included 137 oral and 610 poster presentations. This article presents a brief summary of highlights from the conference. More detailed information, complete abstracts as well as webcasts and daily Rapporteur summaries may be found on the conference website.
