Chikungunya Antibodies
Also known as Chikungunya Antibodies Elisa BloodWhat is this test?
This test is used to find out the Chikungunya Antibodies in the blood.
What are antibodies and their actions?
Antibodies are the protective proteins produced by the immune system and known as immunoglobulins. Antibodies are produced when any foreign substance or virus or bacteria enters into the body. These foreign substances are known as antigens. Antibodies recognize and attach to the antigens in order to remove them from the body. There are five (5) subtypes of antibodies and they are IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD, IgE.
IgG provides long-term protection as it presents in the circulation for a long period after the presence of an antigen. IgM enhances the ingestion of cells by phagocytosis. IgA is also the first defense for intestine, lungs, and nose. They bind antigens to the microbes before they invade tissues and keeps antigens in secretion and when secretion is expelled, antigens are also expelled. IgD helps in the induction of antibody production and presents on the surface of B-cells. IgE binds to the basophils and mast cells.
What is Chikungunya and Chikungunya Antibodies?
Chikungunya is a viral disease caused by Alphavirus. It is transmitted to humans by the infected mosquitoes. It is rarely fatal and has been identified in nearly forty 40 countries. The virus remains in the human body for 5-7 days. Chikungunya has similar symptoms as dengue and one can misdiagnosis the disease.
Chikungunya antibodies are the antibodies produced by the immune system to fight the chikungunya.
Why This test Is Performed?
This test is performed to check the presence of Chikungunya Antibodies in the blood. The doctor may ask you to undergo this test if you are suffering from symptoms such as high fever, joint swelling, joint pain, rashes, severe headache, muscle pain, nausea, fatigue, etc.
If you are on treatment for Chikungunya, the doctor may ask you to perform this test to evaluate and to check the effectiveness of the treatment and Chikungunya Antibodies levels in the blood. Mostly, this test is done along with other tests to confirm the diagnosis.
How often this test should be performed?
If you have been diagnosed with chikungunya, your doctor may advise you to get this test done once in a year based on your clinical condition. If you are a healthy individual above the age of 35, your doctor may advise you to undergo this test either on a yearly basis or every other year.
Precautions:
Some medications may change the test results and hence you are advised to inform all your current medications to the doctor prior to the test.
Test Preparation
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your Chikungunya Antibodies. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for Chikungunya Antibodies.
There are no specific preparations required for this test.
Understanding your test results
The test results may be different depending on gender, age, health conditions, and other factors.
If the test results are negative it may indicate that there are no Chikungunya Antibodies in the blood and no infection of Chikungunya.
In case the test results are positive it may indicate that there are Chikungunya Antibodies in the blood and an indicator of active infection of Chikungunya.
| Gender | Age groups | Value |
| MALE | All age groups | The antibodies are not normally present. Presence of IgA antibodies indicates infection |
| FEMALE | All age groups | The antibodies are not normally present. Presence of IgA antibodies indicates infection |
| MALE | All age groups | The antibodies are not normally present. Presence of IgM antibodies indicates recent infection |
| FEMALE | All age groups | The antibodies are not normally present. Presence of IgM antibodies indicates recent infection |
| MALE | All age groups | The antibodies are not normally present. Presence of IgG antibodies indicates past infection |
| FEMALE | All age groups | The antibodies are not normally present. Presence of IgG antibodies indicates past infection |