Inactivated chikungunya whole virion (CHIKV) (CHIKV)

Inactivated chikungunya whole virion refers to the complete Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) particle that has been rendered non-replicative and non-infectious, typically through chemical inactivation with agents like formalin (Erasmus et al., 2020, NPJ Vaccines). CHIKV is a mosquito-borne alphavirus responsible for chikungunya fever, characterized by high fever and debilitating joint pain that can persist for months or years (WHO, 2022). As an immunogen rather than a traditional pharmacological target, the inactivated virion serves as the active component in vaccine candidates designed to elicit a protective immune response. It presents the native structure of viral proteins, such as the E1 and E2 envelope glycoproteins, to the host's immune system to stimulate the production of neutralizing antibodies. This approach aims to provide long-term immunity against the virus without the risk of vaccine-induced disease associated with live-attenuated platforms. Clinical development of inactivated CHIKV vaccines, such as BBV87, focuses on safety and the ability to induce robust seroprotection in endemic regions (Bharat Biotech, 2023). These vaccines are essential for public health strategies to mitigate the impact of CHIKV outbreaks globally.

Other names

Inactivated Chikungunya VirusCHIKV vaccine (inactivated)Formalin-inactivated Chikungunya virusKilled Chikungunya virus

Active immunization through the presentation of the full repertoire of viral antigens to the host immune system, inducing the production of neutralizing antibodies and activating cellular immunity.