Temporal distribution of dengue virus serotypes in Colombian endemic area and dengue incidence: re-introduction of dengue-3 associated to mild febrile illness and primary infection

Abstract

We have investigated the temporal distribution of dengue (DEN) virus serotypes in the department (state) of Santander, Colombia, in relation to dengue incidence, infection pattern, and severity of disease. Viral isolation was attended on a total of 1452 acute serum samples collected each week from 1998 to 2004. The infection pattern was evaluated in 596 laboratory-positive dengue cases using an IgG ELISA, and PRNT test. The dengue incidence was documented by the local health authority. Predominance of DEN-1 in 1998 and DEN-3 re-introduction and predominance in 2001-2003 coincided with outbreaks. Predominance of DEN-2 in 2000-2001 coincided with more dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). DEN-4 was isolated in 2000-2001 and 2004 but was not predominant. There was an annual increase of primary dengue infections (from 13.7 to 81.4%) that correlated with frequency of DEN-3 (r = 0.83; P = 0.038). From the total number of primary dengue infections DEN-3 (81.3%) was the most frequent serotype. DHF was more frequent in DEN-2 infected patients than in DEN-3 infected patients: 27.5 vs 10.9% (P < 0.05). DEN-3 viruses belonged to subtype C (restriction site-specific-polymerase chain reaction) like viruses isolated in Sri-Lanka and other countries in the Americas. Our findings show the importance of continuous virological surveillance to identify the risk factors of dengue epidemics and severity.

Evidence for the co-circulation of dengue virus type 3 genotypes III and V in the Northern region of Brazil during the 2002-2004 epidemics

“…We compared viral genomes amplified directly from serum samples or from insect cells infected with viruses (Aquino et al 2006) andRJ (Nogueira et al 2005), and this genotype is the only one to have been implicated in DENV-3 epidemics in the Americas (Usuku et al 2001, Messer et al 2003, Uzcategui et al 2003, Peyrefitte et al 2005, Rigau-Pérez & Laufer 2006, Ocazionez et al 2006. When samples received from Porto Velho were used to infect C6/36 cells, they displayed a cytotoxic effect not seen with other DENV-3 viral isolates (data not shown).…”

Prolonged Co-circulation of Two Distinct Dengue Virus Type 3 Lineages in the Hyperendemic Area of Medellín, Colombia

“…24 By using a balanced sample of isolates from different countries, our analysis also provided a comprehensive view of the dispersion of DENV-3 in South America ( Figure 3 ) passed to Colombia where it was detected in 2001 in the eastern province of Santander but does not seems to have extended to other countries. 29 The Ecuadorian lineage, first detected in 1999 in that country, was isolated in Peru in 2000 17 and in Colombia in the southern province of Putumayo in 2002. 27 Although other studies did not find overlaps in the areas of dispersion of the three lineages, we show here that two of them have met in Medellín, at least since 2003.…”

“…28 The DENV-3 was isolated again in 2001 in the eastern province of Santander. 29 It then spread to other provinces in the following years, including Antioquia and its capital, Medellín, where DENV has been regularly diagnosed since 1992 with peak incidence in 1998, 30 DENV-3 is highly prevalent now in Medellín and in other parts of Colombia and other South American countries. 8 In an effort to understand the origin and evolution of DENV-3 circulating in Medellín and any possible relation to the severity or epidemic behavior of the disease, a phylogenetic analysis was conducted of DENV-3 isolated from clinical cases between 2002 and 2007 in the area.…”

The History of Dengue Outbreaks in the Americas

“…6 The DENV-3 subsequently expanded to Central American countries and Mexico in 1995, Puerto Rico in 1998, and other Caribbean islands, causing major epidemics in several Central American countries, Mexico, 108,109 and later to South America. [110][111][112] In 1996, PAHO approved a Continental Plan to intensify Ae. aegypti control; however, it was not fully implemented.…”