• Woottichai Khamduang, PhD Assistant Professor, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University

• Master student: Sarinee Srithep

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection is an important public health concern in Thailand, where transmission is primarily mediated by mosquito vectors. The emergence and re-emergence of CHIKV outbreaks may be influenced by viral genetic variation and changes in population-level immunity.
This study aims to characterize the genetic diversity of CHIKV circulating in northern Thailand during 2024–2025 using whole-genome sequencing and to assess population immunity against CHIKV by evaluating neutralizing antibody responses. Residual clinical specimens obtained from routine arboviral diagnostic testing will be analyzed for CHIKV-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Serum samples that are positive for CHIKV-specific IgG will subsequently be evaluated using the plaque reduction neutralization test at 90% inhibition (PRNT90) against locally isolated CHIKV strains and reference strains. This integrated genomic-to-neutralization approach is expected to provide a comprehensive understanding of CHIKV genetic diversity and virus-neutralizing immunity in northern Thailand. The findings may contribute to strengthening CHIKV surveillance, outbreak preparedness, and the future evaluation of vaccine-induced and naturally acquired immunity in Thailand.

1) To characterize circulating chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in Northern Public health, Thailand (2024–2025)

2) To define the seroepidemiology of CHIKV immunity among patients undergoing arbovirus molecular testing

3) To evaluate functional neutralizing immunity against CHIKV