Since 2000, and probably before, some studies have linked CHIKV infection with some forms of cancer, such as endemic Burkitt's lymphoma, and more recently (2015) with prostate cancer as aggravating co-morbidity. Nevertheless, is not clear to me these relationships and its importance, also considering the potential impact in the context of large LatinAmerica's epidemic with so far over 1.5 million cases reported since ending-2013 up to middle-2015. Any thoughs? more studies? evidences? observations? suggestions?
Most studies implicating the Chikungunya virus infection with development of certain human cancers lack a direct causal connection. Therefore, as is the case with most human persistent virus infections, an infection could contribute to localized and/or systemic inflammation that is often associated with the development of virus-associated cancer. Consequently, studies in the field need to investigate any association between Chikungunya virus infection and cancer based on inflammation markers. This would be a good start.
Dear Alfonso,
the idea linking chikungunya to cancer, especially B cell lymphoproliferative disorders and malignancies relies on the following ecological correlation: Burkitt's lymphoma clusters overlapping with chikungunya cases years after an epidemic in Malawi (van den Bosch C et al, Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 1994). The mechanistic hypothesis put ahead involves an interaction between multiple infections, especially Epstein Barr virus, malaria and chikungunya and the use of plants with a tumoral promotor activity (Euphorba tirucalli) leading to pro-oncogen MYC activation. Here is attached two reviews by Corry van den Bosch. I quite agree with Sergei late-onset immunity is another problem in the same manner as observed after Sindbis (Pogosta) virus infection in Finland. To date, the potential for an increase of B cell malignancies and autoimmune disorders 10 years after the chikungunya epidemic remains to be shown in La Réunion
Best regards
I agree with Sergei. Beyond van den Bosch hypothesis, other usual environmental factors of oncogenesis including air, water, and food pollutants, have to be considered. I am not sure if there is spatially resolved data from Mauritius, but close to our center in La Réunion we have a GIS and remote sensing station who monitors the south western Indian Ocean area (including Mauritius). For further, you may contact Vincent Herbreteau in my contact list who is a researcher in geography of health whose team (UMR Espace-Dev) is also based in Latin America (French Guiana) and Pacific (New Caledonia). He may respond to your question.
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