Rheumatology Medical News about Alphaviruses;cause of arthritis?

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Alphaviruses: An emerging cause of arthritis?
Current Opinion in Rheumatology, 06/11/08

Toivanen A et al. – Arthritis caused by alphaviruses is certainly increasing and it should be kept in mind as a possibility especially in those cases where the disease starts with flulike symptoms, and rash is involved.

Methods

In recent yrs alarming outbreaks of disease caused by alphaviruses, including arthralgia and long-lasting arthritis have taken place
Purpose of this review is to increase the awareness of this possibility

Results

Studies on the epidemiology of alphaviruses, especially regarding Ross River, Chikungunya and pogosta disease have been carried out
They have spread into new geographic areas
The biological cycle of these viruses involves vertebrate hosts and arthropod vectors like mosquitos
Changes in climate, increasing travel and trade, and urbanization favour the spread of both alphaviruses and of mosquitoes
Clinical studies have confirmed that arthritis, which is a part of the disease entity, may be quite severe and long lasting
The need of better control of mosquitoes and proper control measures against them is pointed out

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