Insight into the seroepidemiology and dynamics of circulating serotypes of dengue virus over a 4 year period in western Uttar Pradesh, India.

Abstract

An important public health problem in India is dengue infection, with every year seeing an increase in cases of dengue fever. Dengue affects all individuals irrespective of their gender and age, although the infection rate is higher among males and younger people. Despite low severity in general, dengue virus can cause severe health conditions in some individuals. Genetic characterization of circulating endemic dengue virus (DENV) serotypes plays a significant role in providing epidemiological knowledge and subsequent vaccine development. In the present study, over a 4 year period, we assessed DENV transmission dynamics in major regions of western Uttar Pradesh in North India. ELISA tests were used to diagnose dengue, and PCRs were used to determine the circulating serotype. We found that dengue infection peaks after the rainy season and affects all sexes and ages. A total of 1277 individuals were found positive for dengue; among them, 61.7 % were male and 38.3 % were female. DEN-1 was found in 23.12 %, DEN-2 in 45 %, DEN-3 in 29.06 % and DEN-4 in 1.5 % of the dengue-infected individuals. All four DENV serotypes were circulating in the study area, and DENV serotype-2 (DEN-2) was the most prevalent serotype.