Global Biodefense A new study published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases provides the first in vivo evidence that chikungunya virus (CHIKV) directly infects cartilage-producing cells known as chondrocytes. Using a genetically engineered virus that glows in infected tissues, scientists tracked the progression of CHIKV in mice, revealing persistent infection in joints and uncovering cellular mechanisms that may underlie chronic arthritis seen in human patients.
The research was led by teams at the Institut Pasteur and Université Paris Cité in collaboration with European partners, and offers a breakthrough in understanding the pathogenesis of chikungunya-induced arthritis—a condition that can last for months or even years following infection.