Erythema nodosum possibly secondary to chikungunya virus: a case report

Abstract

Erythema Nodosum (EN) is the most common type of acute nodular septal panniculitis, characterized by deep, solid, firm, painful, non-ulcerated erythematous nodules that appear suddenly. This condition is the result of a hypersensitivity reaction after an exposure to antigens, including bacterial, viral, and fungal agents, autoantibody reactions, and medication use. EN is self-limited and does not cause sequelae, requiring only that the causal factor be addressed. This paper reports a case of a patient with acute febrile illness and arthralgia, associated with erythematous and painful nodules in the lower limbs. After investigation and multiple etiologies discarded, only the serological positivity for Chikungunya virus remained, the main hypothesis for the case, although no direct relationship between the aforementioned agent and the development of EN has been established yet. The objective is to discuss concepts about the subject, the possible relationship between Chikungunya virus and EN, to elucidate behaviors and investigations adopted.