Diversity of Dengue Virus Serotypes in Dhaka City: From 2017 to 2021

Abstract

This is a retrospective observational study aimed to search the alteration of circulating dengue virus (DENV) serotypes in Dhaka City for five consecutive years (2017-2021) along with disease outcome.
 Methods: Routine dengue NS1 or PCR positive dengue samples from patients who visited Evercare Hospital Dhaka (ex. Apollo Hospitals Dhaka) were selected for serotype determination by serotype specific real time reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR).
 Results: In 2017, predominant serotype was DENV-2 (91.3%) with less than 5% of DENV-1 and DENV-3 among 161 cases. In 2018, among127 cases, DENV-2 was the predominant serotype (40.95%) followed by DENV-3 (33.07%) and DENV-1 (25.98%). In 2019, predominance of DENV-2 was totally replaced by DENV-3 (91.86%) and DENV-1 (8.14%). In 2021, only DENV-3 serotype was detected among 178 samples. Regarding serotype association with disease outcome, more severe cases (Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever/Dengue Shock Syndrome) were observed from 2019 with notable shifting of serotype dominance to DENV-3 from DENV-2 in previous years. In our cohort, the prevailing age group was 1-20 years which is analogous with many studies in Asia.
 Conclusion: Dominance of DENV serotype shifted to DENV-3 in 2019 from prolonged persistence of DENV-2 and DENV-1. Continuous surveillance for circulating DENV serotype is needed for preparedness of potential outbreaks and occurrence of severe cases.
 Bangladesh J Med Microbiol 2021; 15 (2): 23-29

Increasing Dengue Burden and Severe Dengue Risk in Bangladesh: An Overview

“…However, in the years 2013–2016, DENV-1 and DENV-2 were the predominant serotypes in Bangladesh [ 47 ]. In 2017, DENV-2 was the predominant serotype (91.3%) in Dhaka City [ 48 ]. A recent study phylogenetically analyzed samples collected during the 2018 outbreak in Bangladesh and found cocirculation of serotypes 2 (54%) and 3 (46%) [ 49 ].…”

“…A recent study phylogenetically analyzed samples collected during the 2018 outbreak in Bangladesh and found cocirculation of serotypes 2 (54%) and 3 (46%) [ 49 ]. In 2018, among 127 cases, DENV-2 was reported as the predominant serotype (40.95%), followed by DENV-3 (33.07%) and DENV-1 (25.98%) [ 48 ]. During the 2019 and 2021 epidemics, DENV-3 was the predominant serotype [ 48 , 50 ].…”

“…In 2018, among 127 cases, DENV-2 was reported as the predominant serotype (40.95%), followed by DENV-3 (33.07%) and DENV-1 (25.98%) [ 48 ]. During the 2019 and 2021 epidemics, DENV-3 was the predominant serotype [ 48 , 50 ]. Notably, serotyping results of 10 samples obtained from the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals camps in Cox’s Bazar District, Bangladesh, were processed at the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) reference laboratory in the capital Dhaka; DENV-3 (five samples) and DENV-2 (three samples) were identified, whereas two samples showed inconclusive results [ 18 ].…”

Genetic Analysis of Dengue Virus in Severe and Non-Severe Cases in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 2018–2022

“…In 2019, DENV3 was the burgeoning serotype and there was no evidence of DENV2. More severe cases were observed in the 2019 outbreak of DENV3 [ 25 ]. It is possible that the weaker serotype-specific cross-reactivity between the re-emerged DENV3 and pre-existing major serotype DENV2 in 2013–2018 increased the severity of the disease.…”

“…Consequently, the introduction of new serotypes or genotypes can lead to outbreaks of severe dengue. We previously reported that the dominant serotype shifted from DENV2 in 2017 and 2018 to DENV3 from 2019 until August 2022, when the only prevalent serotype was DENV3 (100%) and there was no evidence of other serotypes [ 25 ]. In the present study, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis of the envelope protein region of DENVs to determine the viral genotypes and evolutionary relationships among past and present isolates [ 26 ].…”