Atypical skin manifestation in severe acute chikungunya infection in a pregnant woman: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Patients with chikungunya virus infection commonly present with fever, skin rash, and severe joint pain. The vesiculobullous rash is rare in adults but common in infants. In addition, septic shock and acute respiratory distress syndrome are rare complications of atypical and severe acute chikungunya infection. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the presence of an 18-year-old Thai female, at 31 weeks gestation, with fever, maculopapular rash, and polyarthritis. The rash later progressed to a vesiculobullous pattern, and she developed septic shock and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Skin biopsy and blood were positive for chikungunya virus RNA. The patient was intubated with a mechanical ventilator and subsequently fully recovered. CONCLUSION: Atypical skin manifestation and severe acute disease is likely due to immune response attenuation in pregnancy. The possibility of progression to severe or atypical disease in pregnant women suffering chikungunya should always be considered.