Study of cutaneous manifestation of chikungunya and its serological correlation

Aim: To assess the hyperpigmentation after fever and joint pain as a cutaneous marker of chikungunya fever and to assess with serological correlation.Methods: A total of 15 patients comprised of 9 males, 6 females  and  neonate have aged between 14 days to 60 years presented with the pigmentation after the fever subsided were enrolled in the study. The diagnosis of chikungunya was made by detecting virus specific IgM ELISA in the serum.Results: Serological immunoglobulin M enzyme – linked immunosorbent assay (IgM ELISA) test or chikungunya virus was positive in all the patients. Generalized dark coloured pigmentation was the most common finding after the fever subsided. On examination, out of 15 cases, in most of the cases, hyperpigmentation was observed all over the body with the facial involvement. Few cases showed pigmentation over nose, centre of upper lip, on palm, sole, eyelid, dorsum, centrofacial, reticulate pattern on the face and blotchy pigmentation.Conclusion: The presence of pigmentation after fever and joint pain helps to make a retrospective diagnosis of chikungunya fever and this may be considered as a cutaneous marker of chikungunya fever in recent past.